South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care

What South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care does

South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care (SCPITC) is a non-profit organization headquartered in South Carolina and affiliated with the University of South Carolina College of Education, founded in 2007. It delivers free training, coaching, and technical assistance to directors and care teachers serving children birth to three years old in South Carolina child care centers and family child care homes. The organization is the South Carolina adaptation of the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) developed at WestEd's Center for Child and Family Studies, and operates under a strategic partnership with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SC DSS), which serves as the principal government funder and referral source. All SCPITC services — including certified trainings, in-classroom coaching, director support, individual teacher stipends, and materials grants — are provided at no cost to participating programs, with revenue derived from state government appropriations and institutional pass-throughs rather than fees.

SCPITC's core service is its Onsite Services / Service Plan, delivered through a statewide network of 19+ certified Infant/Toddler Specialists and Well-Being Coaches distributed across six regions (Upstate, Midlands, Lowcountry, Pee Dee, Grand Strand, and Horry and surrounding counties). Supporting this core are several sub-brands: Be Well Care Well (well-being support for child care providers since 2017), Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Designation, Sleep Safe SC (launched statewide in January 2024), Baby Jam! (annual virtual winter training event), and Advanced Training (annual in-person PITC trainer conference held for nearly two decades at Folly Beach). Technology footprint is intentionally minimal: a Webflow-hosted informational website serves as the program information and application hub, supplemented by Constant Contact newsletter integration and Facebook/Instagram channels for designated programs. There is no proprietary platform, mobile app, or AI-enabled tooling; services are inherently human-delivered in person. Customer access flows through partner agency referrals (SC DSS, SC-CCR&R, SCIMHA, SC First Steps) and direct application via SC Endeavors' Pathways to Quality portal.

Commercially and strategically, SCPITC operates as a non-revenue-generating intermediary in the traditional sense — its "pricing model" is free services to all eligible providers, with no commercial product distribution, no app, and no disclosed fee-for-service lines. Funding is multi-year, anchored in the SC DSS partnership and the USC institutional affiliation, and supports both service delivery and a credentialed workforce that includes staff with Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IMH-E) and WestEd PITC certification. The organization earned a credibility milestone in 2024 when founder Kerrie Schnake received the inaugural IECMH Leadership in Policy Award from ZERO TO THREE. SCPITC's value to a PE/VC/M&A audience is therefore not as a growth equity target but as an institutional reference point for the South Carolina early childhood system, with strategic significance concentrated in regulatory positioning and designation authority rather than commercial scale.

Name

South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care

Legal name

South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care

Website

https://scpitc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care provides free training, coaching, and technical assistance to early care and education providers serving infants and toddlers statewide, in partnership with SC DSS and the University of South Carolina.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education and Care Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Child Care Services (62441), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) Placement (HSAAALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Postpartum Newborn Care & Parent Education (NCS) (HSAAACAA), Overnight Newborn Care & Sleep Support (NCS) (HSAAACAB)

Keywords

• Infant toddler training
• Early childhood coaching
• Child care quality improvement
• Professional development childcare
• Early care education support

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government / Grant Funding: SCPITC operates as a publicly funded program providing free services to early care and education programs in South Carolina. The organization appears to be funded through state government partnerships, primarily with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SC DSS) and other state partner agencies. All training, coaching, and onsite services are provided at no cost to participating programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SCPITC provides free training, in-classroom coaching, and director support to South Carolina child care programs serving children birth to three, delivered by certified Infant/Toddler Specialists. Its portfolio also includes well-being coaching for providers (Be Well Care Well), a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care designation, the Sleep Safe SC safe sleep designation, and recurring professional development events (Baby Jam!, Advanced Training). Services are publicly funded through partnerships with the SC Department of Social Services and the University of South Carolina College of Education.

Product overview

SCPITC is a unified program offering training, coaching, and professional development services for infant/toddler care providers in South Carolina. The core offering centers on Infant/Toddler Specialist Services and Onsite Services/Service Plans that provide free certified training, in-classroom coaching, and director support. Supporting this core are specialized sub-brands: Be Well Care Well (well-being support for providers), Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Designation, Sleep Safe SC (safe sleep initiative), Baby Jam! (annual virtual training event), and Advanced Training (annual in-person conference). The organization also provides Family Supports resources and a Video Library of educational content. All offerings are adapted from the Program for Infant/Toddler Care at WestEd and are offered at no cost to eligible programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Be Well Care Well: Program promoting the well-being of child care providers through on-site supports, resources, and practical strategies
• Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Designation
• Sleep Safe SC
• Baby Jam!
• Advanced Training

Products and services

• Infant/Toddler Specialist Services Training and coaching services provided by Certified Infant/Toddler Specialists offering in-classroom coaching, reflective Team Teach meetings, and parallel director supports for South Carolina child care providers serving children birth to three.
• Onsite Services / Service Plan Free monthly certified trainings, in-classroom coaching, and director support delivered by Certified Infant/Toddler Specialists, including individual teacher stipends and materials grants for participating classrooms.
• Be Well Care Well Well-being program providing 12 months of coaching plus wellness items, on-site supports, resources, and practical strategies to promote a culture of well-being among child care providers.
• Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Designation Recognition program for South Carolina early care and education programs that commit to actively supporting breastfeeding families and employees through written policies, welcoming environments, support, education, and best practices.
• Sleep Safe SC Statewide child care designation program communicating safe sleep practices to families of babies in child care and recognizing programs using best practices for infant sleep safety.
• Baby Jam! Annual virtual winter training event where national experts focus on issues important to child care providers serving infants and toddlers in South Carolina.
• Advanced Training Annual in-person professional development conference held at Folly Beach for PITC-trained trainers, featuring speakers and deeper exploration of current issues in infant/toddler care.

Quantifiable outcome

• Programs can increase their ABC Quality score through participation in SCPITC's service plan
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• University of South Carolina College of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCPITC is affiliated with the USC College of Education. Jessica Sharp teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on relationship-based caregiving at USC. The organization was originally established at USC in partnership with SC DSS. USC is listed as a key institutional partner on the SCPITC website footer.
• South Carolina Department of Social Services (SC DSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSC DSS is a key government partner, providing funding and regulatory oversight. SCPITC services support SC DSS priorities for early care and education quality. SCPITC also refers programs to SC DSS for licensing and quality information. SC DSS co-promotes designated programs on social media.
• WestEd Center for Child and Family StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCPITC is adapted from the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) developed at WestEd. Staff receive specialized training through WestEd PITC courses. PITC is recognized nationally and internationally for effective training strategies.
• ABC QualitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABC Quality is South Carolina's quality rating system for child care. SCPITC services are designed to help programs increase their ABC Quality scores. A logo link to ABC Quality appears on the SCPITC website.
• SC Child Care Resource & Referral (SC-CCR&R)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSC-CCR&R is a key partner for referring families and programs to quality child care resources. Partner agency referral link on SCPITC website allows CCR&R to refer programs for SCPITC support.
• SC First StepsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSC First Steps works to prepare children for school readiness. Several team members joined SCPITC from First Steps technical assistance roles. SCPITC partners with First Steps through referrals and collaborative professional development.
• SC EndeavorsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSC Endeavors is the state's professional development database for child care providers. SCPITC services are applied for through Pathways to Quality on SC Endeavors, streamlining the application process.
• SCIMHA (South Carolina Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Association)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCIMHA provides Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IMH-E) for early childhood professionals. Many SCPITC specialists hold IMH-E credentials. SCIMHA can refer programs for SCPITC support. Kerrie Schnake previously worked with SCIMHA.
• SC InclusionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSC Inclusion provides free online learning opportunities with child care training credit for South Carolina providers. Listed as a partner resource on SCPITC's Other Resources page.
• Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPITC is the foundational program from which SCPITC is adapted. PITC's relationship-based, self-reflection approach underpins all SCPITC training. The PITC logo links to pitc.org as a key resource for families.
• Zero To ThreemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization dedicated to healthy development of infants and toddlers. Zero To Three resources are referenced for quality child care guidance and professional development. Kerrie Schnake received a leadership award from Zero To Three.
• Safe Kids South CarolinaminorOthersLed by Children's Trust of South Carolina, Safe Kids SC provides injury prevention resources. Listed as a resource partner for child safety information on SCPITC's Child Care page.
• Natural Learning InitiativeminorOthersOrganization helping communities create stimulating environments for play and learning. Linked as an early learning resource on the SCPITC Child Care page.
• Zero To ThreeminorOthersReferenced for quality child care principles and early learning resources. Also linked from the Child Care page as a key organization for selecting quality care.
• Children's Trust of South CarolinaminorOthersWorks statewide to prevent child abuse, neglect, and injury. Provides Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) resources. Listed as a resource partner on the Other Resources page.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)minorOthersCDC provides Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones training course for child care providers, and ACEs resources. Listed on the Other Resources page.
• National Parenting CenterminorOthersProvides parenting resources and advice from child development experts. Listed as a family support resource on the Family Supports page.
• Postpartum Support International (PSI)minorOthersIncreases awareness about emotional changes during pregnancy and postpartum, provides peer support and training. Listed as a family support resource.
• Mother's Milk Bank of South CarolinaminorOthersCollects, screens, processes, and dispenses prescription human milk. Listed as a family support resource for breastfeeding families.
• Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE)minorOthersTeaches Magda Gerber's philosophy of respectful infant care. Listed as a family support and professional development resource.
• PASOsminorOthersSupports Latino communities in South Carolina with education, advocacy, and leadership development. Listed as a family support resource.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): The largest professional membership organization for early childhood educators in the U.S. Sets accreditation standards and provides professional development pathways comparable in mission to SCPITC's quality improvement work, but at national scale and through membership fees.
• ZERO TO THREE: National nonprofit advancing infant and toddler well-being through policy, professional development, and resources. Awarded SCPITC's founder the inaugural IECMH Leadership in Policy Award; operates in the same policy and training space but at national scope.
• Child Care Aware of America: National membership organization supporting Child Care Resource & Referral agencies and quality improvement initiatives nationwide. Comparable in its role as a coordinating hub for child care provider training, though operating at the federal/national level rather than a single state.

Regional players

• NC Child Care Resource & Referral: North Carolina's state-level child care resource and referral network providing training, coaching, and quality improvement. Operates the same R&R/coaching model as SCPITC but serves North Carolina providers rather than South Carolina.

Emerging players

• Infant-Toddler Court Program (ZERO TO THREE): National initiative focused on improving outcomes for infants and toddlers in child welfare systems. Adjacent in mission to SCPITC's work on infant mental health and family support, but oriented toward court-involved families rather than child care providers.

Direct peers

• ChildCare Education Institute: Online training provider delivering certified continuing education to child care professionals across multiple states. Comparable as a training and credentialing provider for early childhood educators, though operates via paid online courses rather than free in-person coaching.
• Quality Care for Children: Georgia-based nonprofit providing training, coaching, and quality improvement services to child care providers across the state. Directly comparable state-level nonprofit model delivering free or low-cost coaching, technical assistance, and quality rating support to early care programs.
• Child Care Services Association (CCSA): North Carolina-based nonprofit operating the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood scholarship program and child care WAGE$ initiatives. Highly comparable as a state-level nonprofit that funds training, coaching, and stipends for child care professionals.
• Child Care Resource Center: California-based Child Care Resource & Referral agency providing training, coaching, and quality support to child care providers. Comparable as a regional R&R-adjacent organization offering direct coaching and professional development to early care programs.
• Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) at WestEd: The parent evidence-based program from which SCPITC is directly adapted. WestEd's PITC provides the same relationship-based training framework, certified specialist model, and infant/toddler curriculum that SCPITC delivers in South Carolina.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bewell.carewell.1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scpitc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care