South Carolina First Steps

10/21/2026

We’re hiring a Senior Director of 4K Operations at SC First Steps!
Looking to lead high-impact operations that directly shape early childhood education across South Carolina?

Reporting to the Chief of Early Learning, this position will oversee operational functions for a $50M+ state program supporting nearly 350 4K sites, thousands of families and early educators statewide.

What you’ll do:

+Drive organizational effectiveness from site recruitment and retention, initial contracting and classroom material logistics to ongoing performance monitoring, family engagement and contract renewal.
+Lead the creation and continuous improvement of internal standard operating procedures and public-facing operational guidelines aligned with the agency's strategic vision.
+Act as the high-level point of contact for inclusion practices, behavioral intervention resources and 4K site/family support.
+Analyze operational data and performance trends to lead continuous quality improvement strategies across the statewide network of 4K sites.

Apply now or tag an operational leader in your network who would be a great fit! https://bit.ly/4i8PmE2

09/29/2026

If you are passionate about early childhood education, teacher empowerment, and driving instructional excellence, this is your opportunity to make an impact.

We are expanding our team and currently have 4K Coach vacancies available across multiple South Carolina counties: Anderson, Berkeley, Darlington, Florence, Greenville, Horry, Lexington, Richland, Pickens, and Spartanburg.

What You Will Do:

Mentor and Empower: Provide high-impact, continuous coaching to early childhood educators, modeling "gold standard" CLASS-driven instructional strategies.
Drive Quality: Guide teachers in implementing effective classroom organization, emotional support, and data-informed lesson planning.
Collaborate for Impact: Partner with regional teams and site leaders to foster a culture of continuous quality improvement across the First Steps 4K program.

Apply today: https://lnkd.in/eUjkeFXH

09/25/2026

Today is Give Like Dolly Day! 9-to-5 ⏰ 🎶

You can help even more children grow up with the joy of books and reading by designating your donation to a First Steps Local Partnership near you! https://gcld.co/ZyGz4lg

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.

08/07/2026

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.

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