Ready for Kindergarten LIVE

Starting kindergarten is one of the biggest transitions in a young child's life, and families shouldn't have to figure it out alone.

Ready for Kindergarten LIVE is a free, one-hour virtual event hosted by SC First Steps, designed to help parents, caregivers, and anyone who works with young children feel informed and prepared for the big day. This year's event features a panel of three experts who bring different but equally important perspectives on what it means for a child to be truly ready for school:

Dr. Aprel Barnes, Pediatric Medical Director at Cooperative Health, on health, development, and what to take care of before school starts.

Anna Brannin, Youth Services Consultant for the SC State Library, on early literacy, building a love of reading, and free resources available in your community.

Kelli Overcash, Principal of Kershaw Elementary School and SC Elementary Principal of the Year, on what schools are looking for, how to prepare your child for day one, and what to do if you have concerns.

There will be time for your questions, and you'll walk away with clear, doable steps to help your child start kindergarten with confidence.

This event is free, virtual, and open to everyone: parents, grandparents, preschool teachers, child care providers, pediatricians, social workers, and anyone else who cares about getting kids off to a great start.