COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina First Steps today announced the kickoff of Countdown to Kindergarten, an annual initiative focused on preparing young children for success in school. Through partnerships with schools and community organizations across South Carolina, Countdown to Kindergarten provides rising kindergartners and their families with resources and support for a smooth transition to the classroom.
"Every child deserves a positive start in school, and Countdown to Kindergarten is our commitment to making that happen," said Janice Kilburn, school transition coordinator at South Carolina First Steps. "By working together with educators and community partners, we are helping families across the state build the confidence and connections they need to support their child's academic success from the very beginning."
A 2023 survey of 2,727 parents and caregivers in South Carolina revealed that 75% of parents need help knowing how to prepare their child for kindergarten.
The Countdown to Kindergarten initiative addresses this need through a variety of activities and resources designed to engage children, families, and communities. These efforts focus on encouraging early registration, fostering connections with schools, promoting school readiness, and linking families with community resources.
This year, South Carolina First Steps has partnered with 90 school districts and community organizations in 33 counties, including:
Abbeville County First Steps
Abbeville County School District
Aiken County First Steps
Aiken County Public School District
Anderson County First Steps
Anderson School District 2
Anderson School District 3
Anderson School District 4
Anderson School District One
Saint Joseph Catholic School (Anderson)
Barnwell County First Steps
Barnwell County Consolidated School District
Círculos de Bienestar (Berkeley)
Calhoun County First Steps
Calhoun County School District
Cherokee County First Steps
Cherokee County School District
Chester County First Steps
Chester County School District
Clarendon County First Steps
Clarendon County School District
Colleton County First Steps
Colleton County School District
East Coast Migrant Head Start Project (Colleton)
Darlington County First Steps
Darlington County School District
Dorchester County First Steps
Dorchester County School District 4
Oakbrook Elementary School (Dorchester District Two)
Fairfield County First Steps
Fairfield County School District
Florence 1 Schools
Florence County School District 2
Florence County School District 3
Florence District 5 Schools
Florence County First Steps
Georgetown County School District
EdVenture Children's Museum
Horry County First Steps
Kershaw County First Steps
Kershaw County School District
Lancaster County First Steps
Lancaster County School District
Lee County First Steps
Lee County School District
Tomorrow's Leaders (Lee)
American Leadership Academy (Lexington)
Lexington County First Steps
Lexington County School District One
Lexington School District 2
Lexington School District 4
Lexington-Richland School District 5
Marion County First Steps
Marion County School District
McCormick County First Steps
McCormick County Schools
Newberry County First Steps
Newberry County Library System
School District of Newberry County
Oconee County First Steps
School District of Oconee County
Orangeburg County First Steps
Orangeburg County School District
Pickens County First Steps
School District of Pickens County
EdVenture Children's Museum
PASOs (Richland)
Richland County First Steps
Richland School District 2
South Carolina ETV (Richland)
Children’s Museum of the Upstate-Spartanburg
Spartanburg County First Steps
Spartanburg School District 1
Spartanburg School District 2
Spartanburg School District 3
Spartanburg School District 4
Spartanburg School District 5
Spartanburg School District 6
Spartanburg School District 7
Upstate Family Resource Center (Spartanburg)
Ragin Preparatory Christian Academy (Sumter)
Union County First Steps
Union County Schools
Williamsburg County First Steps
Williamsburg County School District
Clover School District (York)
Fort Mill School District 4 (York)
Rock Hill School District (York)
York County First Steps
York School District 1
Families are encouraged to visit countdownsc.org for useful information to help prepare children for kindergarten. The website features helpful tips, resources, a school directory, and a calendar showcasing local Countdown to Kindergarten events.
Topics:
School Transition
