Back To MapAbout Dorchester County First Steps
Dorchester County First Steps is a local nonprofit that works collaboratively to ensure that all children start school ready to reach their highest potential. We achieve this goal by engaging families, caregivers, and community partners in high-quality programs and services that improve early childhood development, from before birth through age five. We also serve as a connector and convener of all early childhood stakeholders in Dorchester County.
Dorchester County First Steps is a local partnership of South Carolina First Steps, the state’s dedicated early childhood initiative. As with each local partnership, we operate as an independent nonprofit with a local board and staff. Because our community has unique needs and resources, we tailor our offerings to best meet the needs of local families.
Lisa Hart, Board Chair
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Mailing Address
Phone:
803-760-8278
Email:
Child Care Scholarships
Eligible children receive tuition-free enrollment at quality child care centers
Countdown to Kindergarten
Countdown to Kindergarten supports transitions into schools for 4- and 5-year-olds by connecting incoming students, their families, and their teachers in a series of one-on-one sessions during the summer.
Child Care Technical Assistance & Coaching
Intensive support to child care centers, Head Start and preschool classrooms to improve quality
Child Care Training
Certified and registered training hours for the early childhood workforce
Motheread/Fatheread
Group support for parents with low literacy levels in reading to their children
Reach Out and Read
Books and information on reading books to children provided during well-child visits
Strengthening Families
14-session group support program to promote strong and resilient families.
Also available in Dorchester County:
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.
AmeriCorps
Gain valuable experience and give back to your community through service with First Steps AmeriCorps. Our AmeriCorps members engage directly with families and communities, helping to ensure that all children start school ready to reach their highest potential.
