South Carolina First Steps

The offices of South Carolina First Steps offices will be closed Monday, September 2 in observance of the state holiday. We will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday.

A reminder that families seeking services can always visit First5SC.org to check their eligibility and apply for First Steps services, as well as programs and services from across South Carolina's early childhood system.

The South Carolina Committee on Children wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts on children's issues in South Carolina at one of four fall hearings. To sign up to speak, submit written testimony, or request more information, please email [email protected].

York Technical College celebrated its First Steps 4K classroom's grand opening at the campus Child Development Center. Families, including student parents, can enroll in free, full-day four-year-old kindergarten in a high-quality, curriculum-driven classroom. This new partnership reflects the strong commitment to breaking down barriers to education and supporting the community.

“Our mission is centered on student success, and these services reflect our commitment to breaking down the barriers that can prevent our students from achieving their educational goals,” said Dr. Stacey Moore, President of York Technical College. “Whether it’s by providing essential resources like food and clothing or offering childcare that allows parents to focus on their studies, we are here to support our students every step of the way.”

To learn more about First Steps 4K, visit www.Free4KSC.org.

Local technical college offers free vital services to help struggling students succeed York Technical College launched two new services on Monday that offer free food, professional clothing, and child care to its students.

Featured at our recent centennial celebration in Florence, Darlington County First Steps is a dynamic organization dedicated to preparing young children in Darlington County, SC, and surrounding areas for school success. They offer a range of programs and resources to support early childhood education, health and family engagement. By partnering with families, educators and the community, Darlington First Steps creates a strong foundation for lifelong learning and development.

Learn more about their impactful work at https://bit.ly/3AqiJQ3.

Pictured: Darnell Byrd McPherson, Executive Director, Darlington First Steps

We are hiring a Director of Finance!

The Director of Finance will provide:
💹 Financial Oversight & Compliance: Responsible for budgeting, forecasting, cash management, accounting, compliance monitoring, and internal/external reporting of the Agency's grant awards and expenditures. Ensures compliance with all federal, state, local, and private grants, leading corrective actions for any non-compliance.

💹 Collaboration & Support: Works closely with the CFO, Director of Grantmaking and Development, program staff, and local partnerships. Supports agency reporting, accounting, and participates in meetings related to grants and programs.

💹 Grant Management: Monitors grant fund usage, ensuring timely and appropriate spending. Prepares and distributes budget and spending analyses, and manages invoicing or draw requests for grant reimbursements.

💹 Supervision & Backup: Supervises Accounts Payable and staff assisting with financial tasks. Maintains state and agency accounting processes, and serves as a backup for the Chief Financial Officer on selected tasks.

🌟 To apply visit: https://bit.ly/4fZL540 🌟
❗ ❗ Hurry! This application will close on August 28th! ❗ ❗

Parenting isn't always easy, and you don't have to do it alone. First Five SC supports families with babies, toddlers and preschoolers by connecting them to resources that help them thrive.

Caregivers can answer questions to instantly view and apply for multiple federal and state-supported programs and services at once.

Visit firstfivesc.org to get started!

First Steps 4K Lead Teacher Monica Castro at Greenville Preparatory Preschool says SC provides the necessary resources for educators like her to give students an exceptional four-year-old kindergarten experience. Thank you, Monica, and ALL our First Steps 4K leaders, teachers, and assistants who nurture our state's youngest minds!

Thinking about a career in early childhood education? You (or someone you know!) could be a perfect fit! Check out open positions here: https://www.scfirststeps.org/about-us/jobs/

A Message from Maria Castro, Lead Teacher at Greenville Preparatory School Check out https://www.scfirststeps.org/about-us/jobs/ to learn about First Steps 4K job opportunities around the state.

It's back-to-school season! With more pick-ups and drop-offs on the horizon, it's the perfect time to ensure your child's safety on the road.

Be proactive about child passenger safety by having your car seat checked by a certified technician. Find an Inspection Station near you and schedule your free car seat check today:
https://dph.sc.gov/health-wellness/child-teen-health/early-childhood/child-passenger-safety-program

First Steps 4K Teachers and Instructional Assistants gathered for an inspiring Academy this week. Deep dives into the Science of 4K equipped these early childhood professionals to create exceptional learning environments for our state's youngest students. With a renewed focus on language, literacy, and cognitive skills, these educators are eager to implement hands-on activities and evidence-based practices. Through collaboration and strong partnerships, they will welcome students into thriving school families that foster growth and success. Here's to a great school year!

South Carolina First Steps is seeking a Program Officer to serve the P*e Dee region of the state.

📍 Serve as a coach and mentor to local partnerships, enhancing program operations and board functionality.
📍 Identify and promote successful strategies and innovative practices in the field.
📍 Provide technical assistance in areas such as finance, budgeting, and fund development to ensure compliance with agency goals.
📍 Plan and deliver trainings, consultations, and develop guidelines for local partnerships.
📍 Monitor and support child care training efforts and collaborate with state programs and community agencies

This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the early education landscape in South Carolina, supporting diverse communities and advocating for high-quality early childhood services.

✨ Apply today to join our mission-driven team! ➡ ➡ https://bit.ly/3Wwr8sQ

Due to the forecasted impact of Tropical Storm Debby, South Carolina First Steps offices will be closed to the public on Thursday, August 8. Normal operating hours are expected to resume on Friday, August 9.

Families seeking services can visit first5sc.org to check eligibility and apply for early childhood programs offered by First Steps and other agencies across the state's early childhood system.

For immediate updates and road conditions, please follow the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.

As Tropical Storm Debby approaches our state, bringing the potential for flooding and severe weather, it's important to be prepared. Here are some tips for families with young children to stay safe during this storm:

🎒 Make a plan
- Have enough food, formula and diapers
- Pack any medicine or medical supplies
- Be ready to leave if told to evacuate

👀 Watch the storm
- Keep your phone charged in case of power outages
- Have multiple ways to get emergency alerts, including tv stations, radio, and your phone
- Follow the South Carolina Emergency Management Division for updates

💬 Stay calm
- Routines help children feel safe and secure. Keep your child’s usual schedule for meals and bedtimes when possible.
- Limit media coverage, which may be frightening for young children.
- Reassure children that they are safe. Talking, reading, and singing with your child can be especially comforting during times of stress.

The first day of kindergarten is here! 🎒 Over the next few weeks, thousands of South Carolina's youngest learners will step into their classrooms and begin an exciting new chapter in their educational journey. But what does it mean to be truly ready for school?

School readiness isn't just about what children know. It's about the love and support they receive from their entire community — families, caregivers, healthcare providers, educators, and neighbors. We all play a part in helping children get ready for school.

To learn more about school readiness and to find resources to support your child in the transition to school, visit COUNTDOWNSC.org.

Let's work together to ensure every child is ready to reach their highest potential!

🌟 First Steps 4K Leaders Assemble! 🌟

An incredible team of of over 300 center directors and school administrators attended an enriching Academy this week, delving into the Science of 4K. Now leaving even better equipped to provide our state’s youngest learners with an exceptional four-year old kindergarten year.

Key takeaways from the Academy include:

🧠 The importance of brain development in early childhood
📚 Proven strategies for fostering language, literacy, and cognitive skills
✏️ Hands-on activities and evidence-based practices that engage young minds
🤝 The vital role of collaboration and partnerships in creating a thriving school family

Next up - teachers!

Gov. Henry McMaster signed a proclamation declaring August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month in South Carolina. Breastfeeding Awareness Month brings attention to the important role that breastfeeding plays in child development. This year's theme is "Nourish, Sustain, Thrive."

This week (Aug. 1-7) is also National Breastfeeding Week.

The First Steps 4K Leadership Academy is off to a fantastic start! We’re incredibly grateful to our dedicated volunteers from Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, Divine Nine Foundation of Columbia SC Inc., and Enterprise. Their contributions have been instrumental in preparing to train over 300 early childhood leaders and 600 teachers. Thank you for helping us shape the future of early childhood education!

Drowning can happen in a matter of seconds. Adult supervision is key to keeping your children safe in or near water. Never leave children unattended, and keep a watchful eye on your children at all times.

It's a big week – kindergarten is almost here! 🎉 Let's dive into pre-writing skills! Doodles and scribbles are the first steps toward writing. Give your child plenty of opportunities to practice. Ask them to tell you about their drawing, and encourage them to sign their name. This is often the most meaningful printed word for a child – and the one they are most interested in learning to write.

For more tips and resources, visit COUNTDOWNSC.org. Get set for an amazing year ahead! 🏫

🌟 📢 Are you a high-level communications professional looking for a mission driven organization with far reaching impact? Look no further than South Carolina First Steps and our newest job posting: Public Engagement Manager!

Come join a high performing communications team, engaging diverse audiences through a variety of channels. This role will uplift stories from across the state of young children, families, and child care providers impacted by our programs and partners.

➡ 💻 To apply, visit: https://bit.ly/3SjThlm

Tia Richardson serves as our Countdown to Kindergarten intern, helping rising kindergarteners throughout the state transition to the classroom ready and confident. "Her dedication and professionalism are unwavering. We deeply appreciate all of her contributions."

Fotima Tuxtasunova serves as our First 5 intern, helping parents easily find and access child care resources available to them through the First 5 portal. "She soaks up information quickly and makes impactful connections between ideas that helps us expand our work, and is a joy to know.”

Jose Burgos serves as our First Steps 4K intern, helping our 4K team ensure that 4-year-olds across the state have access to quality pre-kindergarten. "He is hard working and always willing to jump in with both feet! Having a bilingual intern has made a huge impact on our Hispanic families, giving them an opportunity to communicate in their native language and also a sense of safety when dealing with a “government agency”."

For Molly Tuck, the only thing more exciting than finding out she had been accepted into the final round of the Harvard Strategic Data Project (SDP) fellowship matching process for their 16th cohort was learning that she was also being considered for the Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) placement, housed at South Carolina First Steps. Read the full blog. ➡️ https://bit.ly/4bWC4po

Only a few days until kindergarten! Let's read together! 📚 Reading aloud to your child is one of the best ways to boost your child's vocabulary and thinking skills while also deepening your bond. Starting school can be overwhelming, but reading together opens the door for conversations about their feelings, questions, and excitement!

Visit CountdownSC.org for more tips and resources to prepare for this big day!

Proud of our incredible team! 🎉 This week, 40 SC First Steps AmeriCorps members, collectively serving over 5,000 hours in communities statewide, participated in a special service completion ceremony. Huge shoutout to Aniyah Covington, Pelor Richards, Janiyah Singleton, and Deloris LeGrant for crushing their service goals and earning Certificates of Celebration. To learn more about this national service learning opportunity, go to https://www.scfirststeps.org/get-involved/americorps/