Discover the inspiring journey of Janice. From her start as a licensed home care provider in Hawaii, she brought her passion to South Carolina 24 years ago to establish MEGA Child Development Center. Dedication and support from SCDSS and First Steps 4K fueled her pursuit of advanced degrees and a lifelong commitment to young learners. Get to know more about Janice, this month’s Leader Spotlight!

Blog Post

A Midlands academy is giving young children a strong foundation before kindergarten, with parents and educators praising its impact. At Northeast Enrichment Academy, children in the First Steps 4K program are thriving. Dalias Ravenell, whose daughter has attended since 4K, says the experience has been life-changing.

News

Last year, something beautiful happened in church basements, community centers, and school cafeterias across South Carolina. Parents arrived—nervous and exhausted but carrying hope: to be the best parents possible for their children. What they found was First Steps. And that hope starts with A Night to Celebrate Community. The funds raised from this event are distributed equally among all 46 counties, providing critical support that other funding sources can’t cover.

Blog Post

Karen Durand's dedication to early childhood education spans over 30 years, a journey that began with summer camp counseling and Sunday school teaching in her high school years. These early experiences ignited a passion that led her to a fulfilling career shaping young minds. Today, Karen serves as the principal at Saint John Catholic School in North Charleston and is this month’s First Steps 4K Leader Spotlight.

Blog Post