In order to increase school readiness for all SC children, the State launched First Steps, a comprehensive research-based early childhood education program. To date, the program has helped more than 500,000 children prepare for school through programs that improve children's health and well-being and increase the quality of child care and early education opportunities (neatoday, March/April 2011).  Public and private funds and support are combined through county partnerships to enable individual communities to develop and provide comprehensive, high quality early childhood education development services. Community leaders, child care providers, parents, teachers, faith leaders and the business community collaborate to address unmet needs of young children and their families specific to their communities.

Why Do We Need First Steps?

Today, nearly 1 in 5 Anderson County children test "not ready" for first grade. In some communities, this statistic is as poor as 1 in 2. Research studies repeatedly show that children who arrive unprepared for first grade's challenges have a difficult time catching up and succeeding throughout the rest of their school years. Many of these students drop out of school or do not find fulfilling productive jobs after high school as result of their slow start. These children's entire lives are adversely affected by their lack of school readiness, and our quality of life overall in South Carolina suffers as well.

What Are Our Goals?

• Support parents in strengthening their families and in promoting the development of their young children.

• Increase services that prevent major physical, development, and learning problems in children.

• Support high-quality pre-school programs.

•  Provide services to give children the necessary protection, nutrition and health care.

• Encourage communities to focus collaboratively on support services for families and their young children.