South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees

The South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees is a public-private partnership established in 1999 by the South Carolina General Assembly. Its primary mission is to ensure that all children in South Carolina enter school ready to succeed by leveraging public and private resources to enhance early childhood development and school readiness.

History

Since its inception, South Carolina First Steps has been focused on improving early childhood education through a network of interconnected local partnerships across all 46 counties in the state. Initially established to close the opportunity gap for young learners, the organization has evolved into a robust system supporting families and childcare providers.

In 2014, the South Carolina General Assembly reauthorized and reformed First Steps through Act No. 287, reaffirming its role as the state's Early Childhood Advisory Council. This legislation enhanced the organization's mandate to improve early childhood development and school readiness by establishing clearer goals and objectives.

Mission and Vision

The vision of First Steps is for every South Carolina child to be prepared for success in school. The mission involves collaborating with various entities to support families and caregivers in maximizing community resources for delivering high-quality early childhood services.

First Steps values the critical developmental window of early childhood, recognizing families as the primary influence on young children's development. It emphasizes a collaborative effort between public, private, and faith sectors to achieve its goals.

Structure and Governance

The South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees comprises a diverse group of leaders from the state legislature, early childhood education, the business community, and parents of young children. This board oversees statewide initiatives and provides guidance for local partnerships, ensuring that each partnership adapts to local needs while maintaining a common mission.

Activities and Programs

First Steps supports local partnerships through technical assistance, strategic planning, and evaluation of funded programs. It promotes innovative strategies and proven programs aimed at enhancing health, family support, access to quality early care and education, and transitions into kindergarten.

In 2020, the Board of Trustees adopted the Every Child Ready initiative, a comprehensive five-year strategic plan to drive its mission forward. This plan includes strategic priorities, objectives, and measures of success, underscoring the organization's commitment to the state's youngest learners and their families.

Evaluation and Impact

Since its inception, South Carolina First Steps has undergone several external evaluations to assess its progress. Notable evaluations include those conducted by Child Trends and the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, which have highlighted the initiative's innovative approach and community convening role. These evaluations have contributed to refining the organization's strategies and achieving its goals.

Role in School Readiness Assessment

First Steps plays a crucial role in assessing kindergarten readiness through statewide and county-level analyses. The Board of Trustees utilizes these assessments to inform standards and practices for early childhood providers and support local initiatives aimed at improving school readiness.

Overall, the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees is a pivotal force in South Carolina's early childhood development landscape, working diligently to ensure all children are well-prepared for educational success.