South Carolina First Steps

09/01/2026

Thanks to WLTX News19 for helping spread the word that SC First Steps 4K Eligibility is Expanded! 🎥📣

Families with children who will be 4 on or before Sept. 1, 2026, with family income(s) below 300% FPL are now eligible for participation in First Steps 4K. For example, a family of four making $99,000 or less annually now qualifies. First Steps 4K provides high quality, FREE preschool in private childcare, charter schools, and private schools. Check out www.Free4KSC.org for open slots near you!

NOTE: Parents who qualify under expanded eligibility (between 185% and 300% federal poverty level) do NOT qualify for 4K+ Sibling Scholarships

The budget expands eligibility to the state's Child Early Reading Development and Education Program to families making up to 300% of the federal poverty level.

08/20/2026

First Steps 4K Eligibility is Expanded!

Families with children who will be 4 on or before Sept. 1, 2026, with family income(s) below 300% FPL are now eligible for participation in First Steps 4K. For example, a family of four making $99,000 or less annually now qualifies. First Steps 4K provides high quality, FREE preschool in private childcare, charter schools, and private schools. Check out www.Free4KSC.org for open slots near you!

NOTE: Parents who qualify under expanded eligibility (between 185% and 300% federal poverty level) do NOT qualify for 4K+ Sibling Scholarships.

Before proceeding, make sure to have the following documents ready to upload. You can save them to your computer or phone, or use your phone camera to take a picture and upload it to the application.

08/17/2026

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.

08/12/2026

Looking for a finance career where your numbers actually make a difference?

We are hiring a Local Partnership Fiscal Analyst! You'll be the go-to financial coach for our local non-profit directors, helping them manage budgets, navigate grant funding, and keep community programs thriving.

What you’ll do:
Guide & Advise: Serve as the primary liaison for local partnership directors, making sense of budgets, cash flow, and financial reports.

Master Systems: Provide hands-on training and frontline support using financial management systems.

Build Relationships: Offer daily customer-focused guidance and make occasional site visits to support local teams.

Ready to turn your accounting expertise into real community impact?

Apply here: https://bit.ly/4z6k2h0

08/07/2026

Former NFL player Corey Jackson of the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos says his toughest and favorite role is now Dad. He is inspiring families to use resources like SC First Steps 4K, a high quality and FREE preschool program for eligible SC families. Apply here: https://www.scfirststeps.org/what-we-do/programs/first-steps-4k/apply

08/07/2026

Now this is what we call good news! Check out WSPA 7News's feature on the 2026 First Steps 4K graduates of Small Impressions Child Development Center.

Your Carolina

07/24/2026

Getting ready for kindergarten? Download our free Kindergarten Readiness Guide in English or Spanish. https://bit.ly/4wXJWSd

07/20/2026

4K teachers in SC, it's not too late to register for the Palmetto Pre-K Jamboree! Don’t miss out on our fantastic presenter Marianne Gibbs, creator of Write Out of the Box® and registered occupational therapist, who will share a fun and fast-paced session on fine motor development, pencil grasp, and pre-writing by young children 3-6 years old.
➡️ Register today at https://palmettoprekjamboree.vfairs.com/.

07/17/2026

South Carolina 4K teachers, have you registered for the Palmetto Pre-K Jamboree yet? Don't miss the fantastic starting line up! Lisa Murphy, M.Ed., early childhood specialist and founder and CEO of Ooey Gooey, Inc.®, will share an inspiring keynote about why we show up every day and do this important work.
➡️ Register today at https://palmettoprekjamboree.vfairs.com/

07/16/2026

SC First Steps seeks an Executive Assistant to provide high-level, complex administrative and project management support to the Agency Director. This position requires exceptional communication skills; strong interpersonal capabilities; and proven ability to exercise a high degree of discretion, sound judgment, and initiative.

Key Responsibilities

Provides primary high-level support to the Agency Director, performing routine and complex duties to support the mission of the agency.
Serves as the principal administrative liaison to the SC First Steps Board of Trustees and the Early Childhood Advisory Council.
Manages complex schedules and calendaring, high-level correspondence, and special initiatives.

Requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum of three to five (3-5) years of high-level administrative or executive support experience. Qualified candidates please apply here: https://bit.ly/458zewi.