Charleston County First Steps

Charleston County First Steps Our mission is to ensure that all Charleston County children are healthy and ready for kindergarten.

WHO WE ARE:
Charleston County First Steps exists to improve school readiness for families with children from birth to 5 years old. First Steps is the only statewide entity solely devoted to increasing school readiness. We are a grassroots partnership identifying public and private community resources and collaborate opportunities, including: business and community leaders, early education professionals, faith-based community and parents of preschool children.

Playtime is learning time! These sweet photos come from one of our CCFS families, enjoying a sensory toy from one of our...
09/02/2026

Playtime is learning time!

These sweet photos come from one of our CCFS families, enjoying a sensory toy from one of our free Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) sessions. We love sending games and activities home with our families — not just for fun, but because that hands-on play is where so much early development happens: fine motor skills, curiosity, problem-solving, and connection all rolled into one giggle-filled moment.

Thank you to this family for sharing this moment with us. This is exactly why we do what we do.

Want to learn more about our free Triple P parenting sessions? Send us a message — we’d love to have your family join! 📩

Labor Day weekend is almost here! A gentle reminder: kids thrive on rhythm, even during a break. However you're spending...
08/31/2026

Labor Day weekend is almost here! A gentle reminder: kids thrive on rhythm, even during a break. However you're spending the weekend, we hope it's full of rest, sunshine, and time with the people you love. 💛

This is why the work of early childhood matters so much. The first five years aren't a warm-up for learning — they are t...
08/25/2026

This is why the work of early childhood matters so much. The first five years aren't a warm-up for learning — they are the learning. Every read-aloud, every conversation, every moment of connection is shaping a child's future right now.

At Charleston County First Steps, this is the "why" behind everything we do.

Big thank you to Books in Every Bag 📚💛A generous author donation made its way to our kiddos this week — passed along to ...
08/19/2026

Big thank you to Books in Every Bag 📚💛

A generous author donation made its way to our kiddos this week — passed along to us by Barnie Howell with Books in Every Bag. These books will go straight into the hands of Charleston County families and childcare classrooms, helping build home libraries and early love for reading, one page at a time.

Books in Every Bag does incredible work year-round — mailing a FREE, age-appropriate book every month to children from birth to age 5, right to their door. It's literacy support made simple, and it's changing outcomes for kids across our community.

Want your child (birth–5) enrolled to receive their own free monthly book? Head to booksineverybag.org to sign up — it takes just a few minutes, and every child under 5 in your household can be registered.

Thank you, Barnie and the entire Books in Every Bag team, for partnering with us and investing in Charleston County's youngest readers.

Today is National Nonprofit Day, and we're taking a minute to reflect on why this work matters. 💛Charleston County First...
08/17/2026

Today is National Nonprofit Day, and we're taking a minute to reflect on why this work matters. 💛

Charleston County First Steps exists because we believe every child deserves the strongest possible start — and that takes a village. It takes teachers, families, volunteers, donors, and community partners all showing up for the same mission: kids ready to learn, families ready to support them.

Nonprofit work isn't always glamorous. It's early mornings, tight budgets, and showing up again and again because the mission is bigger than any one person. But it's also proof of what's possible when a community decides no child gets left behind before kindergarten even starts.

To our staff, volunteers, partners, and every family who's trusted us along the way — thank you for being part of this work with us. This one's for you. 🙏

It's officially kindergarten week for so many Charleston County families. However day one (or day three, or day five) we...
08/12/2026

It's officially kindergarten week for so many Charleston County families.

However day one (or day three, or day five) went — tears at drop-off, proud grins on the bus, a lunchbox that came back untouched — you and your kindergartener made it through the first week. That's worth celebrating.

Here's a gentle reminder for this season: adjustment isn't instant. It's okay if bedtime is a battle right now. It's okay if your child is more clingy or more wiped out than usual. New routines take time to feel normal — for kids and parents both.

At Charleston County First Steps, we're cheering on every family in this transition. You've got this, and so do they.

Drop a 🎒 in the comments if your kindergartener started this week — we want to celebrate with you!

Tomorrow is the big day! Backpacks are packed, first-day outfits are picked out, and Charleston County students are read...
08/10/2026

Tomorrow is the big day! Backpacks are packed, first-day outfits are picked out, and Charleston County students are ready to head back to school. 📚

A very special shoutout to our first-time kindergartners stepping onto campus for the very first time tomorrow! This is such a huge milestone — for you and for the grown-ups who've been preparing you for this moment. Take a deep breath; you've got this!

To every student, teacher, and family starting this new chapter: we're cheering you on. Here's to a year full of new friendships, big discoveries, and so much growth.

Teaching isn’t standing at the front — it’s holding space up high so someone smaller can run free underneath it.
08/03/2026

Teaching isn’t standing at the front — it’s holding space up high so someone smaller can run free underneath it.

Charleston County has had a few heat indexes this Summer; this is dangerous for little ones.Babies and toddlers overheat...
07/28/2026

Charleston County has had a few heat indexes this Summer; this is dangerous for little ones.

Babies and toddlers overheat faster than adults — their bodies can't regulate temperature the same way. A few reminders for families out this Summer:

Did you know CCFS offers a free program for families with children prenatal – age 5? Parents as Teachers (PAT) is an evi...
07/27/2026

Did you know CCFS offers a free program for families with children prenatal – age 5? Parents as Teachers (PAT) is an evidence-based program designed to help you feel more confident as a parent while supporting your child’s growth every step of the way.

We offer:

🏠 Personalized one-on-one visits with a trained Parent Educator
❤️ Child development info, activities, and ideas
📚 Resources & referrals to community services
🎯 Goal setting & encouragement for your family
🤝 A stronger community of support with other families

Ready to grow with us? Scan the QR code in our flyer to fill out our interest form!

For more information:
Melody DeLisa, PAT Program Manager
843-270-1296 | [email protected]
www.charlestonfirststeps.org

Let’s grow together!

Address

4975 LaCross Road
North Charleston, SC
29406

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18437450237

Website

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