News & Resources

Nearly 100 community members, elected officials, and state leaders gathered Thursday afternoon, May 25, to celebrate the opening of a new early childhood education center in downtown Kershaw.

The Clyburn Early Childhood Center will offer a variety of early childhood programs, including First Steps 4K. That's a free, full day four-year-old kindergarten program funded by South Carolina's Child Early Reading Development and Education Program.

Improving child care access across the state, that’s one goal of South Carolina First Steps, an initiative designed to make sure all children can start school ready to reach their highest potential.

Too many of South Carolina’s young parents need assistance. That’s why it’s worth spreading the word about first5sc.org, which provides a one-stop shop for family services that several S.C. agencies launched at the beginning of this month.

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 South Carolina Early Childhood Advisory Council announced the launch of an application that streamlines the process of applying for publicly funded early childhood programs.

“Through that common application, families can apply in one stroke instead of having to complete the application again and again,” Mjartan said. “That can be time consuming and frustrating for families with young children.”

According to South Carolina First Steps and the SC Early Childhood Advisory Council, the resource is a first of its kind in the nation. It’s designed to break down barriers that prevent some families from accessing needed services, they said.

The South Carolina First Steps agency is concluding its annual summer initiative known as 'Countdown to Kindergarten.'