Anderson County First Steps Newsletter

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Programs Making a Difference

Raising a Reader Weekly book bags are sent home to build family reading habits, literacy confidence, and a lifelong love of books in young children. Community Events such as celebrations like Fall Fun Day are held that honor the progress of children and families throughout the academic year.

Reach out to learn how you can support early childhood programs in our county. 

Parent comments from last schoolyear:  

I just wanted to say thank you for running the Raising A Reader Program at Wren. My daughter is in K4 and enjoying it, and as a bonus, our younger son is benefiting as well. He is so excited each week to see what his big sister will bring home. She shows him all the books and makes up the story until my husband, or I can read to them. It is so fun to witness. She came home today and went straight to the couch to read to him, and her baby sister joined in too. 

Thank you so much! 

The Raising a Reader program has been an incredible experience for my daughter and our 

family. She looked forward to checking out new books each week, and it gave us special time together reading every night. Over time, it inspired her to start reading on her own and truly enjoy it. Her confidence has grown so much. She even read a book out loud to her classmates, which made me incredibly proud. Seeing her develop a love for reading has meant everything to me, and I truly believe the Raising a Reader program played a big role in that journey. 

ACFS HIPPY Home-visiting program 

HIPPIE empowers parents to become effective first teachers, improving school readiness for children ages 3–5.  Expanding this schoolyear, The HIPPY program will grow to serve more families in the Belton-Honea Path, Star-Iva, and Pendleton areas. Stay connected with Anderson County First Steps for enrollment and program updates 

4K Classroom Programs

Engaging, hands-on learning activities at local elementary schools connect literacy, nutrition, and early math skills. 

ACFS held two sessions of Countdown to 4K and Countdown to Kindergarten

This past summer, ACFS had a record number of students and families participate! We are very excited that the students received a head start on getting ready for school, meeting their teacher, and making new friends. 

The 2026 Ready for Kindergarten guide helps families prepare for the transition to school. It includes information about how and when to register, ideas for supporting learning at home, and simple activities families can do together. The guide also features a parent-teacher information form to help families share important details about their child’s early experiences, needs, and strengths. Created by South Carolina First Steps and the Early Childhood Advisory Council, the guide is free to download and available in English and Spanish.

View the 2026 Guide: English | Spanish

Learn more about South Carolina's kindergarten transition resources at kindergartenreadysc.org.

Anderson County First Steps welcomes families, volunteers, and community partners. 

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina First Steps is reminding families that regular attendance in preschool is one of the most important ways to support their child’s early learning and long-term success.

Even at age four, showing up everyday matters. Research shows that preschoolers who miss 10% or more of the school year arrive at kindergarten with lower levels of school readiness and are more likely to be chronically absent in elementary school.

“Every day in a 4K classroom is a building block,” said Martha Strickland, state director of the First Steps 4K program. “It’s not just about ABCs and 123s. It’s about helping children build confidence, routines, and relationships that set them up for success in kindergarten and beyond.”

To support strong attendance in First Steps 4K classrooms this year, the agency has launched Every Day Builds the Way, a new initiative to raise awareness and equip families and teachers with practical strategies for getting children to school every day.

First Steps recommends the following tips:

• Create a daily routine. Set regular bedtimes and morning routines to help your child      feel rested and ready for the day.
• Talk about school positively. Ask your child specific questions like: "Did you hear a      story today? What was it about?"
• Plan ahead for transportation or scheduling      challenges. Ask your child’s school or provider for help      if needed.
• Keep children home only when truly sick. A mild cold or a sleepy morning doesn’t always mean a child      needs to stay home.
• Communicate with teachers. Let them know about any concerns and work together to support      your child’s attendance.

To help families make the most of this important year, the First Steps 4K program has adopted a new attendance policy. Children who have more than 10 absences may lose their free preschool enrollment. The primary focus, however, is partnering with families to build strong attendance habits and help every child succeed.

“Our message to families is simple: everyday counts, and we’re here to help,” Strickland said. “Building strong attendance habits now can make all the difference later.”

About South Carolina First Steps

South Carolina First Steps is the state’s dedicated early childhood agency, working collaboratively to ensure every child starts school ready to reach their highest potential. Through partnerships, programs, and statewide coordination, the agency supports the healthy development and school readiness of young children in all 46 counties.

About First Steps 4K

First Steps 4K offers free, full-day preschool to eligible four-year-olds in partnership with more than 330 licensed childcare centers, private schools, and charter schools across South Carolina. Part of the state’s Child Early Reading Development and Education Program (CERDEP), the program gives families the flexibility to choose any participating provider, regardless of where they live.

The schoolyear is underway, but enrollment is open year-round. To learn more or find a provider near you, visit free4ksc.org.

From SC First Steps Weekly Wrap 

August 7, 2025 

 Family Engagement Events 

Donuts with Dad, Muffins with Mom, and Grits with Grands continue to be some of our most popular family engagement events, providing meaningful opportunities for families to connect and learn together. Another highlight was Boo with Books and Blankets, held on the Crescent Football Field, where children and their parents gathered under the stars to enjoy reading together. Anderson County First Steps was pleased to provide books to the children and families who attended.

Real Men Read Event

Students at Spearman Elementary participated in our Real Men Read event, featuring guest reader Dr. Larry Knight from Anderson University. Students were highly engaged as he led a fun and interactive read-aloud and book-sharing experience.

Farm Field Trip

Our 4K students enjoyed an exciting field trip to a local farm, where they learned about the life cycle of a pumpkin. This hands-on experience beautifully complemented their classroom farm theme.

Literacy and Math Integration

Anderson County First Steps provided 4K teachers with the book Walter’s Wonderful Web by Tim Hopgood. After reading the story, students created their own “wonderful webs,” incorporating shapes such as squares and circles to reinforce early math concepts.

Veterans Day Reading:

In honor of Veterans Day, an active-duty Air Force parent volunteered to read to one of our classes. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all Veterans for their service and dedication.

Bike Safety with Safe Kids at AnMed 

Earlier this year, board member Jackie McCall from Safe Kids at AnMed visited one of our programs to teach students essential bike safety skills. She covered important topics such as choosing the right bike size, using proper hand signals when turning, and the importance of staying off railroad tracks. Mrs. Jackie also shared a meaningful personal story that highlighted why wearing a bike helmet is so important. The students loved spending time with her and learning these valuable safety tips. Thank you, Jackie, for helping keep our children informed, confident, and safe! 🚲

Parent Engagement Event 

Anderson County First Steps hosted a parent engagement event where families enjoyed decorating gingerbread men together. Parents and children worked side by side to decorate homemade gingerbread men using buttercream icing, mini-M&Ms, and sprinkles. Each child also received a copy of The Gingerbread Man to take home and add to their home library. We were thrilled with the strong parent participation and loved seeing families interact, create, and make special memories together.