First Steps 4K - SC First Steps

First Steps 4K

First Steps 4K offers free, full-day four-year-old kindergarten to qualifying children in South Carolina. We partner with more than 270 licensed child care centers and private schools across the state, making it easy for families to find a high-quality program that meets their needs.

PLUS! First Steps 4K students and their siblings, ages 0-12, are now eligible for child care and after-school scholarships for up to 52 weeks. Learn more here.

Find a Program

Find a First Steps 4K Program near you

Apply Now

Submit an application to enroll in the First Steps 4K program

Eligibility

To be eligible, a child must be:

  • 4 years old on or before September 1 of the school year you are applying to.
  • Eligible for Medicaid, free/reduced-price lunch, or SNAP/TANF recipient; experiencing homelessness or transiency; or in foster care
  • A resident of South Carolina
  • Students and their siblings now qualify for child care scholarships thanks to a partnership between SC First Steps and the SC Department of Social Services. Learn more here.

 First Steps 4K +

  • First Steps 4K students qualify for free extended care scholarships (before- and after-school)
  • Siblings, ages 0-12, of enrolled First Steps 4K students qualify for child care and after-school scholarships
  • Sibling scholarships can be applied toward enrollment at any licensed child care center or afterschool program that participates in ABC Quality, the state’s voluntary quality rating and improvement system.
  • Learn more here!

How It Works

Families can select the private, community-based, or faith-based program of their choice. All First Steps 4K programs are in-person, 5 days per week, throughout the school year. Most providers offer a full day (8 hour) program and/or operate year-round, continuing through summer.

Find a Program

Target Outcomes

Research shows that children who attend a high-quality preschool program are more successful in kindergarten and beyond. First Steps 4K aims to increase participation, quality, and professional development in private, community-based, and faith-based 4K programs across the state.

Preschools: How to Partner

Learn more about how to partner with the First Steps 4K program

Community Impact

4,053

children served with the First Steps 4K program in 2023-2024.

301

approved First Steps 4K program providers in 2024-2025.

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Address: 636 Rosewood Drive
Columbia, SC 29201
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