COLUMBIA — Parents of children 5 and younger in South Carolina can fill out a new online application to simultaneously check their eligibility for taxpayer-funded child care assistance, preschool and other government programs.

The May 1 launch of the common application on first5sc.org was celebrated by state agency leaders and early childhood advocates as providing families an easier, quicker way to access services that enable parents to work and children to succeed.

Instead of filling out separate, often lengthy forms — sometimes needing to do so in person during business hours — parents can securely submit information once that will automatically fill out applications across state government.