West Market, South Fant Earn Top Performance Designation 

The early childhood and education centers at West Market and South Fant were honored Thursday for achieving the highest performance level possible under the state’s ABC Child Care Program.

 Early childhood programs that earn the top designation represent only about 2 percent of all ABC providers.

“South Fant was our very first program to go through the new ABC Level A assessment process and score so high that it earned the AA performance designation on its first assessment,” said Leigh Bolick, director of the ABC Child Care Program for the state Department of Social Services.

West Market earned the same designation by having its program accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

District Five was one of the first school districts in the state to make early childhood education a priority, with its first program beginning in 1964. Early childhood education has continued in the district for 46 years. The original center, which in its early years was housed at the former Perry School, has been replaced by two state-of-the-art early childhood centers at West Market and South Fant.

In 1972, the district’s early childhood program was the first program in the Southeast to receive accreditation from the South Association of Colleges and Schools at a time before NAEYC had even begun accrediting early childhood programs. Similarly, District Five’s partnership with the state’s child development program began originally with funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission before a separate state office responsible for child care had been established.

In the early 1970s, Dr. William B. Royster, the District Five superintendent at the time, noted that the district early childhood program had been noted in the Congressional Record as a model. He said at the time that all South Carolina schools were told to use the District Five program as a model, and the program was being copied by at least 15 school districts in other states.

“These two programs – West Market and South Fant– in Anderson School District Five represent the best of ABC,” Mrs. Bolick said. “This district has served eight generations of young children in these programs. You have truly embraced the pursuit of excellence and it shows – in our recognition of your Level AA status at the state level, in your accreditation at the national level with NAEYC, and most importantly in the faces of the children and the families that you serve every day. We are so proud to recognize you today and to partner with you in the pursuit of excellence for early care and education.”

Children registering for the pre-school program must be 3 or 4 years old on or before September 1, 2010.

When parents come to register, they must bring the child’s legal Birth Certificate, proof of residence and food stamp case number (if applicable).  We request you bring your child’s social security card.  However, if you do not wish to give us the social security number, a student identification number will be assigned for your child. 

You will need to register your child at the school they are zoned to attend.  If they are zoned for TL Hanna High School, you will register at South Fant Early Childhood and EducationCenter.  If they are zoned for WestsideHigh School, you will register at West Market Early Childhood and EducationCenter. Please direct any questions to South Fant Early Childhood and EducationCenter at 260-5225 or West Market Early Childhood and EducationCenter at 260-5200.

Completing the registration process does not guarantee a child a spot in the program.  Eligibility for South Fant or West Market is based on the academic and developmental needs of the child.  Screenings will be held in June and notification of acceptance will be mailed by July 1, 2010. There are not enough slots for every student who qualifies, so priority is given to students who can benefit the most.