About Us

For over 50 years, the Center has educated and nurtured approximately 70 children annually, serving families of diverse ethnic backgrounds residing in Pickens, Anderson, and Oconee counties. We are open year-round, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Children from 6 weeks old to 4K kindergarten age are served breakfast, lunch, and nutritious snacks.

Our teachers are certified and follow the Creative Curriculum toolkit/guide which focuses on four areas of development:

Social and emotional development
Physical development (gross motor and fine motor)
Cognitive development
Language development(listening, speaking, reading, and writing)

The CCDC takes pride in being the only private nonprofit childcare and preschool agency in the area with an “A” rating from the State of South Carolina’s Advocates for Better Childcare (ABC) program. We are also grateful to have enjoyed the consistent support of local churches, civic organizations, businesses, area colleges and universities, the City of Clemson and many individual volunteers and donors over the years.

CCDC Today

Today, CCDC is run by Clemson Child Development Center, Inc., a 501c(3) organization. The board of directors includes members from local congregations and the community at large. The student body is ethnically and socio-economically diverse. Staff members have experience in early childhood education and development and attend annual training programs. CCDC is licensed by the Department of Social Services and adheres to all child care and developmental standards required by the ABC Voucher System.

Facilities & Staff

The facilities at the current CCDC include classrooms, a library, three playgrounds, a lunchroom within an auditorium, full kitchen, conference room, teacher’s lounge, and office areas.

Staff includes 10 full time teachers, 4 part time teachers, and 5 office/ kitchen staff. Low teacher/pupil ratios provide the children with the individual attention they need.

Teacher to student ratios:

Infant class: 1 teacher to 4 children

1-year-old class: 1 teacher to 5 children

2-year-old class: 1 teacher to 7 children

3-year-old class: 1 teacher to 11 children

4- & 5-year olds: 1 teacher to 13 children

SC First Steps 4K program: 1 teacher to 10 children

OUR STUDENTS

CCDC accepts children from six week through four year kindergarten age, regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, political beliefs, or physical challenges.

Around 70 children, coming from 60 families, are enrolled at CCDC. The Center fosters an environment of diversity. Currently ethnic diversity is 38% African American, 25% white, 25% Bi-racial, 2% Hispanic, 3% Pacific Islander, and 7% Asian.

A TYPICAL DAY

The Center is open each weekday from 7:00am to 5:30pm. A nutritional breakfast is served at 8:00. At 9:00 the children begin classroom instruction which continues throughout the day in both structured and unstructured settings. The children are provided a nutritious lunch and an opportunity for rest. Age level playgrounds are used for outdoor play, and a large screened in play area is used during inclement weather.