Providing home daycare in Charleston area (North Charleston, Goose Creek: day cares, preschool, costs)

[lightspeaker]

I'm hoping someone will reply to this as I've already posted on two other Charleston forums with no replies. I am interested in moving to the Charleston area, probably Summerville or West Ashely. I currently do a home preschool with a learning curiculum in the N. Va. area which I have done for almost twenty yrs.
I'm wondering what the situation is as far as licensing and pay level for in home providers there. Here you may have five children in care without licensing or regulation. I know the prices here are higer, about $120. a week for fulltime care, but my housing costs would be lower so I'm not overly concerned about that. I'd like to know if there is a need in the areas I've mentioned for quality childcare and if there is a lot of red tape involved in getting started.
Please someone answer it would be much appreciated.

[DJShymansky]

I think there's always going to be a need for qualified childcare, no matter where you are. As to expected pay, I can't help you.

However, in regards to licensing and regulations, your best bet is to contact the local DSS board. Here's the contact info for them.

Good luck!

Region III – Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Jasper, Orangeburg
3346 Rivers Avenue, Suite D-1
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 953-9780 or (800) 260-0211 Fax (843) 953-9787
Bob Howard, Supervisor

[CYDEK9]

You can go on the web for Charleston, SC & find out what u need to know about the area. There's an Air force base & a Naval base in Charleston & Goose Creek which is good because the base day care center can't keep up with the population. good luck

[SCBeaches]

I know I have friends on James Island who have trouble finding good day care. There are 2 home day care facilities that I know of on J.I. where the limit is 5 children, but I think it differs if there are infants involved. I know there is a need...you just need to establish trust and gain a good reputation. If you can get a few teachers' kids, the word spreads like wildfire! The 2 home day cares I mentioned have at least a year's waiting list and are used primarily by teachers.
Good luck!