HEAD START
Chesterfield-Marlboro EOC Head Start three to five year olds is a school readiness program that provides comprehensive child development services to eligible families. The overall mission of CMEOC is to improve motor skills, self-esteem and the quality of life in three to five year olds through cooperative and collaborative services by governing bodies, parents and staff. Children and their families are provided a variety of experiences which will broaden their horizons and their understanding of the world in which they live, expand their thinking, improve their health, build self-confidence and self-concepts that will better assist them living with themselves and others.
Our Staff:
CMEOC employs experienced, caring, and highly trained professionals who are committed to nurturing each child’s development. Our team works closely with families to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success. Through personalized attention and evidence-based practices, we help every child thrive.
About Head Start
Head Start was launched in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. This federal initiative supports the early development of children from low-income families, emphasizing:
• Education and school readiness
• Physical and mental health
• Nutrition and wellness
• Active parental involvement
Today, Head Start continues to promote stability and growth for young children and their families.
Volunteer With Us:
We Need You!
Volunteers are essential to the success of CMEOC Head Start. Whether you're reading to children, assisting in the classroom, or helping with office tasks, your time and talents matter. Volunteers:
• Serve as positive role models
• Build meaningful relationships with children
• Supporting our federal program match requirements
We offer training and orientation throughout the year to ensure all volunteers are confident and prepared.
Community Partnerships & Special Needs Referrals
CMEOC Head Start partners with a variety of local and state organizations to support children with special needs. We welcome referrals from:
• BabyNet
• Department of Social Services (DSS)
• Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN)
• Local pediatricians
• School districts
• Mental health providers
• DHEC
• School for the Deaf and Blind
Through these partnerships, we ensure every child receives the support and services they need to succeed.
Get Involved or Learn More
Interested in enrolling your child, volunteering, or referring a family? Contact us today to learn how you can be part of the CMEOC Head Start community at www.cmeoc.org
Community Involvement and Referral of Children with Special Needs
CMEOC Head Start welcomes and appreciates referrals from our community partners. These include agencies such as:
• BabyNet
• Department of Social Services (DSS)
• Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN)
• Local pediatricians
• Public School Districts
• Mental Health Clinics
• South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
• The School for the Deaf and the Blind
• ...and many others.
Family Engagement
Our Family Engagement Services for children aged 3 to 5 are designed to build strong, supportive relationships with families that:
• Promote overall family well-being
• Strengthen parent-child relationships
• Encourage continuous learning and development for both parents and children
Our goal is to help families become self-reliant.
We support parents by helping them:
• Identify their strengths, needs, and interests
• Find their own solutions to challenges
• Nurture their children within the context of their family and culture
• Build trust and collaborative relationships with staff and the community
We depend on the active involvement of parents, families, and the community to make our program a success.
Our staff support families by:
• Helping parents establish and work toward family and child development goals
• Offering opportunities for interaction with other parents, staff, and community agencies
• Providing parent education activities in response to parent needs
• Including parents in the classroom curriculum
• Connecting families with local resources
• Assisting with education and employment training opportunities
• Encouraging participation in literacy programs
• Involving families in community service projects
Learn more: Office of Head Start Family Engagement
How to Apply
CMEOC Pre-school Head Start (for ages 3–5) and Early Head Start (12 months-3 in Pageland and Cheraw only) is currently accepting applications for the current school year.
Priority is given to families who are:
• Experiencing homelessness
• In foster care
• Receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
• Receiving Food Stamps
• Receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Low-income (per Federal Poverty Guidelines)
• Families of children with special needs or disabilities
All services are provided at no cost.
Toddlers participating in the Early Head Start Program will attend school year-round.
Getting Started
To apply:
1. Complete the Head Start application.
2. After submitting the application, a Family Service Coordinator will contact you.
3. Provide required documentation.
4. Attend your scheduled interview/ Parent Conference (required by federal regulations).
Important Reminders:
• Keep your contact information updated.
• Respond to our contact attempts (we make up to 3).
• Applying does not guarantee enrollment. Slots are filled based on availability and priority of need.
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Call us at (843) 320-9760 or toll-free 1-888-299-2799
Required Documents for Interview
Proof of family income (W-2, 1040, SSI/TANF payments, or 1-month of current income, DSS Household summary)
Child’s birth certificate, hospital birth certificate, passport or other
South Carolina Certificate of Immunization
Documentation of the child’s disability (if applicable)
Legal guardianship/custody documents (if the applicant is not the biological parent)
Family is defined as:
All people living in the home supported by the parent/guardian
Related to the parent/guardian by blood, marriage, or adoption
Application Follow-Up
If you have applied:
You will receive an Application Update Letter explaining the next steps, including additional forms to complete.
If your child is not selected:
You will receive a Waitlist Letter. Your child will be placed on the waitlist letter. This does not guarantee enrollment but keeps your application active if space becomes available. Head Start can server OIG(over income students) when the wait list for eligible children is exhausted.
Contact for Enrollment Questions
Ernestine H. Melton
Assistant Head Start/Early Head Start Director
emelton@cmeoc.org or the Family Service Coordinator for your specific Center.
Meet Our Family Service Coordinators
Carol Galloway | McColl Head Start | cgalloway@cmeoc.org |
Valerie Ellerbe | Chesterfield/Ruby Head Start | vellerbe@cmeoc.org |
Katie Harrington and Valerie Ellerbe | Pageland Head Start | dharrington@cmeoc.org |
Bernice Linton | Cheraw Head Start | blinton@cmeoc.org |
Rene Tyson | Blenheim Head Start | rtyson@cmeoc.org |
Barbar Little | Central Office | blittle@cmeoc.org |
Our Centers:
The program operates six (6) centers with 21 classrooms (16 Pre-School and 6 Early). We have centers located in Cheraw, Chesterfield, McBee, Pageland, Blenheim, and McColl. All six (6) centers are endorsed by the South Carolina ABC Voucher program and licensed by the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
Head Start Center Directory
Center Name | Address | Contact Person | Phone |
---|---|---|---|
Cheraw | 1345A Dizzy Gillespie Dr., Cheraw, SC 29520 | Conelia Smith (Manager) | 843-537-5248 |
McBee | 168 Union Church Rd., McBee, SC 29101 | CarolynWilliams (Head Teacher) | 843-335-6506 |
Ruby | 109 McKenzie St., Chesterfield, SC | Kim Bowen (Head Teacher) | 843-623-2072 |
Pageland | 405A Gum St., Pageland, SC 29728 | Evelyn Diggs (Manager) | 843-253-5041 |
McColl | 311 Church St., McColl, SC 29570 | Elandis Stuckey (Head Teacher) | 843-253-5041 |
Blenheim | 2809 Polston Farm Rd., Blenheim, SC 29516 | Tracey Joseph (Manager) | 843-528-3465 |
Family Support at Head Start
At Head Start, we know that a child's success is closely tied to their family's well-being. That's why we’re here to support not just children—but the whole family.
Our staff is trained and ready to help you navigate life’s challenges by connecting you with valuable resources, offering guidance, and building a strong partnership with your family.
How We Support Families
Home Visits
We visit families at home to build trust, understand your unique needs, and provide personalized support in a comfortable environment.
Referrals to Services
Need help beyond our program? We connect you with local agencies, consultants, and services to support your family's goals and needs.
Goal Setting
We help you identify your family’s strengths and concerns, and work with you to create achievable goals—with realistic timelines and ongoing support.
Attendance Follow-Up
If your child is absent, our team follows up to ensure everything is okay and to offer help if needed.
Strong Partnerships
You know your family best. That’s why we build a partnership based on your input—together, we’ll determine how Head Start can best support your family.
Navigating Barriers
Facing challenges like transportation or cost? We’ll help you explore options and find solutions, so these issues don’t stand in your way.
Connecting Families to Community Resources
Our goal is to link families to services and support within their community. Whether it’s housing assistance, job training, childcare, or healthcare, we’re here to help you make those connections.
Transitioning to Kindergarten ("Graduating")
As part of our commitment to supporting every child’s growth and success, we provide guidance and resources to help families prepare for the transition from Head Start to Kindergarten.
All children enrolled in Head Start are eligible to participate in this transition process. Our team is available to schedule a meeting with families before their child begins Kindergarten. This meeting allows us to share helpful information and address any concerns, so that your child's new school can provide the best possible support from day one.
If you'd like to set up a transition meeting or have any questions, please contact us — we're here. CMEOC’s Head Start program emphasizes parental involvement as a cornerstone of a child's educational success. The program offers various opportunities for parents to engage actively in their child's development, including classroom participation, volunteer roles, and involvement in program planning through advisory boards and committees. Additionally, parents are encouraged to develop parenting and teaching skills through coordinated adult education classes.
The program also recognizes the importance of father involvement, with initiatives like "Doughnuts for Dads" and "Heart for Dads Day," which have seen participation from over 200 fathers and male figures. Furthermore, the Family Literacy Program aims to provide parents with resources and activities to promote self-sufficiency, including referrals to GED/high school diploma classes, colleges, parenting classes, and access to books through giveaways and lending libraries.
To access the Head Start Parent Handbook, please visit CMEOC's official website: cmeoc.org.
Parent Engagement
CMEOC's Head Start program emphasizes parental involvement as a cornerstone of a child's educational success. The program offers various opportunities for parents to engage actively in their child's development, including classroom participation, volunteer roles, and involvement in program planning through advisory boards and committees. Additionally, parents are encouraged to develop parenting and teaching skills through coordinated adult education classes.
The program also recognizes the importance of father involvement, with initiatives like "Doughnuts for Dads" and "Heart for Dads Day," which have seen participation from over 200 fathers and male figures. Furthermore, the Family Literacy Program aims to provide parents with resources and activities to promote self-sufficiency, including referrals to GED/high school diploma classes, colleges, parenting classes, and access to books through giveaways and lending libraries.
Overview
The CMEOC Head Start Program offers a comprehensive health services system supporting the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development of preschool children, including those with disabilities. The program emphasizes preventive care and early intervention.