Annual Report

Fiscal year 2025 was a year of focus and foundation-building at South Carolina First Steps. Through 46 Local Partnerships, 362 First Steps 4K classrooms, and strong collaboration through the Early Childhood Advisory Council, we strengthened the system of individuals and organizations that care for and educate our state's youngest children.

Research and Evaluation

South Carolina First Steps works collaboratively to ensure that all children start school ready to reach their highest potential. All In for South Carolina’s Young Children, the agency’s 2025–2030 strategic plan, is a five-year roadmap for strengthening the system of individuals and organizations caring for and educating children from birth to age five.

Research and Evaluation

South Carolina First Steps commissioned Child Trends to conduct an independent evaluation of its local partnerships for a five-year period, FY 2019 to 2023. The evaluation assessed how effectively the local partnerships achieved their legislative goals, purposes, and functions, and examined the impact of their services on young children and families. This summary outlines the evaluation findings and recommendations.

Research and Evaluation

South Carolina First Steps commissioned Child Trends to conduct an independent evaluation of its local partnerships for a five-year period, FY 2019 to 2023. The evaluation assessed how effectively the local partnerships achieved their legislative goals, purposes, and functions, and examined the impact of their services on young children and families.

Research and Evaluation

South Carolina First Steps commissioned Child Trends to conduct an independent evaluation of its local partnerships for a five-year period, FY 2019 to 2023. The evaluation assessed how effectively the local partnerships achieved their legislative goals, purposes, and functions, and examined the impact of their services on young children and families. This summary outlines the evaluation findings and recommendations.

Annual Report

This year, South Carolina First Steps marked 25 years of serving young children and their families. In fiscal year 2024, we reached 64,678 children—more than ever before—while continuing to advance a more effective and family-centered early childhood system. Explore our latest annual report to see how we’re building on our legacy and working toward a brighter future for every child.

Research and Evaluation

This evaluation report examines the reach and impacts of child care scholarships for young children and their families provided by local First Steps partnerships over a five year period, from FY18 through FY22.

Research and Evaluation

South Carolina First Steps commissioned the University of South Carolina's Institute for Families in Society to independently evaluate the reach and impacts of child care scholarships for young children and their families provided by local First Steps partnerships over a five year period (FY18-FY22). This summary outlines the evaluation methods and findings.

Annual Report

In fiscal year 2023, we saw parents, partners, and policymakers step up for our state's youngest children. With 54,241 children directly served, First Steps responded to their overwhelming desire to give babies, toddlers, and preschoolers the best start in life. Now permanently authorized, our commitment endures. Explore these results and more in our latest annual report.

Legislative Report

In 2022, the General Assembly allocated $3 million in recurring funds to be awarded to local First Steps partnerships through a grant-making process. This report describes how Resources for Early Acceleration and Development in Youth (READY) funds have been deployed to sustain and expand evidence-based parenting programs, increase the quality of child care, and address pressing workforce and infrastructure challenges.