News & Resources

Starting kindergarten is a big step for young children and their families. These free, printable guides offer practical tips and activities to support a successful start in school. Designed especially for parents, these resources are also helpful for educators and caregivers.

Certain experiences or conditions are associated with educational disadvantage upon entry into kindergarten. The South Carolina First Steps Board of Trustees has identified a set of risk factors as those most likely to affect school readiness.

Understanding First Steps' purpose and its relationship with the Early Childhood Advisory Council is key to envisioning our goals.

This essential resource covers everything families need to know about First Steps 4K, from our goals and policies to our curriculum and approach to school-family partnership. The handbook also includes the 2022-2023 First Steps 4K calendar.

Everyone can be a hero! Use our free, printable flyer and activity sheet to encourage your child to practice healthy habits at home, school, and play.

Co-created with input from our partners, this infographic represents the flow of state and federal dollars in the early childhood system in South Carolina.

South Carolina’s Profile of the Ready Kindergartner describes the physical, cognitive, social and emotional signs of school readiness.