Marion County First Steps - SC First Steps

Marion County First Steps

About Marion County First Steps

Marion 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 Marion County.

Marion 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.

Spencer R. Scott

Executive Director

Farrah Woodberry-Owens, Board Chair


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Contact

Street Address 528 N. Main Street Marion, SC 29571
Phone: 843-433-8488

Early Care & Education

Child Care Scholarships

Eligible children receive tuition-free enrollment at quality child care centers

School Transition

Countdown to Kindergarten

Countdown to Kindergarten supports transitions into kindergarten by connecting incoming students, their families, and their teachers in a series of one-on-one sessions during the summer.

Parenting

HIPPY

Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) is a home visiting program that supports parents in their role as a child's first and most important teacher.

Early Care & Education

Child Care Technical Assistance & Coaching

Intensive support to child care centers, Head Start and preschool classrooms to improve quality

Early Care & Education

Child Care Training

Certified and registered training hours for the early childhood workforce

Parenting

Nurturing Parenting

Group support with optional models of home visitation and fatherhood

Parenting

Raising a Reader

Raising a Reader operates in 3,000 locations across the nation.

Parenting

Library Based and Other Learning Programs

Library staff visit child care and preschool classrooms providing books, storytelling, and staff training.

School Transition

Countdown to 4-year-old Kindergarten

Countdown to 4-year-old Kindergarten supports transitions into 4K by connecting incoming students, their families, and their teachers in a series of one-on-one sessions during the summer.

Also available in Marion County:

Early Care & Education

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.