Greenville First Steps conducting child care needs assessment for Greenville County

Child care remains a growing need in Greenville County.

To understand the local demand, Greenville First Steps, a local nonprofit organization, is completing a child care needs assessment. Derek Lewis, the nonprofit’s executive director, explained that South Carolina First Steps requires every county to conduct a needs assessment every three years as part of its strategic planning process.

Greenville First Steps invited more than 70 stakeholders, including policymakers, child care providers, community leaders and business representatives, to participate in a community conversation for the needs assessment on Sept. 5. New data about the local child care sector, center capacities and industry barriers were presented during the meeting.

“We were thrilled to see so many different voices con