South Carolina First Steps partners with licensed child care centers, private schools and charter schools to provide high-quality four-year-old kindergarten programs that prepare South Carolina's children for success in kindergarten and beyond.
When you partner with First Steps 4K, you become part of our mission to ensure that all children start school ready to reach their highest potential. In return, we provide the funding, resources, and support you and your staff need to meet our high-quality standards. The benefits include:
Disclaimer: The purpose of this calculator is to provide an estimated reimbursement amount based on current state funding and eligibility criteria. This tool is for informational and planning purposes only and should not be considered a guarantee of payment.
New Provider recruitment IS OPEN for the 2026-2027 school year.
Please complete THIS INTEREST FORM to move forward in the recruitment process. The interest form is your first step to joining First Steps 4K.
Are you a DSS-licensed center-based child care provider, a non-profit independent school, or a public charter school? If so, you may be eligible to partner with First Steps 4K and offer the 4K program through our state’s Child Early Reading and Development Education Program (CERDEP) funding.
Feel free to reach out to Samantha Ingram, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator, for additional information about becoming a First Steps 4K provider.
$20K
Grant funding available for materials and supplies
90
Number of hours of free, high-quality professional development for teachers
$14K
Value of provided research-based curircula, materials and trainings
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Sign up for News & Updates
Translation services are available.
