Lancaster County First Steps

08/27/2026

What a beautiful legacy Dolly Parton left behind. 💗 Her belief in the power of a book to inspire a child, spark imagination, and open new doors will continue to make a difference for generations to come!

Through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, eligible children from birth through age 5 can receive a new, age-appropriate book in the mail every month, completely free for their families.

Lancaster families can learn more and check their eligibility at https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/affiliate/SCLANCASTER/

Join us in carrying her legacy forward, one child and one book at a time. 💙📚

Millions of children started home libraries because of Dolly Parton’s commitment to early literacy.

For more than three decades, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has mailed books directly to young children around the world — creating more opportunities for reading, connection, and learning.

Today, we remember and honor Dolly for a lifetime of advocacy and for the generations of young readers her vision will continue to inspire. In her words, “You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children.” We couldn't agree more. 📚❤️‍🩹

08/20/2026

Parents with children who will be 4 on or before Sept. 1, 2026 with family income(s) between 185% and 300% FPL are now eligible for participation in First Steps 4K. For example, a family of four making $99,000 annually or less now qualifies.

First Steps 4K provides high quality, FREE preschool in private child care, charter schools, and private schools. Check out www.Free4KSC.org for open slots near you!

NOTE: Parents who qualify under expanded eligibility do NOT qualify for 4K+ Sibling Scholarships.

08/13/2026

A throwback evening filled with good vibes! Our preservice event was full of laughs, throwback looks, and well-deserved recognition for the great members on our team, all while gearing up to continue serving families and our littlest learners. Because when you’re helping kids prepare for success, you’ve got to keep the energy BIG! 🥳💿📚

07/29/2026

Back-to-school season is here! 📚

Whether your little one is learning at home, heading to preschool, starting kindergarten, or your older children are getting ready for a new school year, school success starts at home! Here are a few simple tips to help your family ease into the school year ahead! 😊🍎

07/13/2026

Our Parents as Teachers families have enjoyed wonderful opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together!

From an informative birth doula presentation and celebrating the amazing mothers in our program to our first-ever PATnic (Parents as Teachers Picnic 😉) at the Lindsay Pettus Greenway and a relaxing chair yoga session, we've had a great time learning, building connections, and focusing on wellness.

A special thank you to our birth doulas, ShateeJa Harris and Beverly Black, and our yoga instructor, Charquisha McGriff, for sharing your time, knowledge, and expertise with our families. We appreciate all you do to help our families.

Stay tuned to see what else we have in store this summer!

07/06/2026

Reading is a fun and easy way to cool off on a hot day! What books are you reading this summer?

06/29/2026

Interested in joining the Lancaster County First Steps Team?

We're hiring passionate people to help every child in our community get the chance to thrive! Please visit our website at https://www.lancastercountyfirststeps.org/jobs for information about our current openings. ✨

Jobs Lancaster County First Steps is seeking top candidates to join our team and help give every child the chance to thrive. See current opportunities below. Current Job OpportunitiesMaintenance TechnicianNutrition Support SpecialistEducation Program Compliance Specialist BidCustodial Services Bid I...

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day from Lancaster County First Steps! 💙

Today, we celebrate all the dads, grandfathers, and father figures who help our children learn, grow, and thrive. Thank you for the love, support, and guidance you provide every day.

Interested in learning more about our programs for families with young children? We'd love to connect! Visit www.lancastercountyfirststeps.org to learn more and get in touch.

06/19/2026

This Juneteenth, we honor the enduring pursuit of freedom, opportunity, and equity for all. We celebrate the resilience of Black communities and our commitment to ensuring every young child and family has the support they need to thrive! ❤️

06/11/2026

Learning, connecting, and growing! The Addressing Challenging Behaviors Conference provided our team with valuable insights and practical tools that we've been excited to put into practice.