Few people know the First Steps 4K program like April Hayes. She’s led it, taught it, and even trusted it with her own child. After serving as a 4K center director, April returned to the classroom as a First Steps 4K teacher at Rehoboth Baptist Child Development Center in Richland County. As both an educator and a parent, she understands early learning from every angle.
“As an educator, it has really given me the perspective of seeing how the learning process is,” she said. “I get to see directly what teachers have to do and just how much we get to instill in them before kindergarten.”
April knows that no two children begin their learning journey in the same place, but every small success matters. “A lot of times those small things get overlooked,” she said. “I tell my parents it’s good that they’re scribbling, that they’re learning to hold a pencil. These basic things build the foundation for everything that comes next.”
For April, growth isn’t about rushing to meet milestones. It’s about slowing down to notice the joy in everyday progress. “Even though you only get one year with them, you can see a big difference, whether it’s social, emotional, cognitive, or confidence,” she said. “If you just slow down and really get in tune with the student, you can recognize when they’re making those little steps of growth.”
That philosophy became especially meaningful when one of her students struggled to adjust during the first few weeks of school. “Every day, it was, ‘I want my mommy. When am I going home?’” she recalled. To help, April gave him a classroom job as a schedule keeper so he could see the structure of his day and feel more secure.
Gradually, things began to change. “The kid he was in August is not the same kid by October,” April said. “Now he greets me every morning with a hug and a smile. He’s happy, acclimated, and excited to learn. Seeing that transformation gives me hope because I know the school year will only get better.”
April also encourages parents to create routines that help children feel confident and connected. She often shares tips with families, like building a consistent morning ritual. “It could be a fist bump, a high five, a hug, something that signals a positive start to the day,” she said.
She also teaches parents to use classroom language at home, such as “wishing them well” before drop-off. “It makes them feel incorporated,” April said. “They know that what we do in First Steps 4K isn’t limited to the classroom. It becomes a community thing.”
The little boy who once cried every morning eventually found his place. He made friends, took on more responsibilities, and even inspired a joyful classroom tradition. One day, he asked April to call him “chicken nugget.” The nickname stuck. “Now every afternoon, the class says, ‘Bye-bye, chicken nugget!’” April said with a laugh. “If it makes them smile, I’ll call them chicken nugget. It’s a fun way to begin and end our day on a happy note.”
Whether she’s sharing strategies with parents or saying goodbye to her “chicken nuggets,” April brings warmth and a deep sense of purpose to her classroom. Each small victory, each moment of connection, adds up to something much bigger: a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
Learn more about First Steps 4K
SC First Steps partners with more than 320 licensed child care centers, private schools, and charter schools across the state, making it easy for families to find a high-quality program that meets their needs. To see if your child qualifies for First Steps 4K, a free, full-day four-year-old kindergarten for children in South Carolina, learn more about eligibility.
Topics:
First Steps 4K, School Transition
