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H. 4931
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Rep. Davenport
Document Path: l:\council\bills\nbd\12378ac06.doc
Introduced in the House on March 30, 2006
Currently residing in the House Committee on Education and Public Works
Summary: First Steps
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3/30/2006 House Introduced and read first time HJ-35 3/30/2006 House Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works HJ-36
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-9750 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE OF SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS TO DEVELOP A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING PROGRAM FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC CHILDCARE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY CHILDCARE CENTERS AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROGRAM MUST BE SOLELY ADMINISTERED BY THIS OFFICE; TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE TO ALSO SELECT AND APPROVE A VOLUNTARY RATING SYSTEM FOR USE BY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND TO PROVIDE THAT THIS RATING SYSTEM MUST BE ADMINISTERED BY AN INDEPENDENT ACCREDITATION ORGANIZATION; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFICE SHALL DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF OTHER STATE AGENCIES WHOSE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IMPACT THE OPERATION OF CHILDCARE CENTERS AND SHALL DEVELOP METHODS OF PROVIDING FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR PRIVATE CHILDCARE CENTERS TO IMPROVE THEIR CAPABILITIES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 33, Chapter 7, Title 20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 20-7-9750. (A) The Office of South Carolina First Steps shall develop and implement a statewide, comprehensive technical assistance and training program for private and public day care providers with an emphasis on improving the quality of four year old kindergarten statewide and to improve the quality of childcare and of educational programs that serve infants, pre-kindergarten, and after-school care children.
(B) This program must be administered solely by the Office of First Steps so that standards developed will be universal across the state and improvement in these areas can be tracked efficiently. The office is the only state designated entity authorized to provide or establish guidelines for the provision of technical assistance described in this section. The office shall administer the technical assistance program and shall recruit technical assistance staff with strong credentials in childcare center operations with 'hands-on' experience in the area of early childhood education within the last seven years.
(C) In implementing this program, the office shall minimize administrative and over-head expenditures in order to maximize funds available for technical assistance on-site at centers and for teacher education. In carrying out the provisions of this section, the office shall implement its programs and services with a partnership philosophy for success with other interested individuals including, but not limited to, childcare operators, educators, and parents.
(D) By January 1, 2007, the office shall develop, select, and approve a voluntary rating system for the providers of childcare who operate in the State. This rating system must be administered by an independent accreditation organization not affiliated with the State and must be a rating system for programs that serve infants, pre-kindergarten, and after-school care children. In developing this rating system, the office shall consult with childcare providers from the private and public sector.
(E) The office shall develop recommendations to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of other state agencies whose duties and responsibilities impact the operation of childcare centers.
(F) The office shall develop and evaluate its progress and that of childcare centers in meeting the goals of this technical assistance and training program.
(G) The office shall recommend methods of providing financial incentives for private childcare centers to improve their capabilities including, but not limited to, low interest loans for expanding or up-dating existing facilities, curriculum materials, teacher training, and on-site classroom development."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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