What is Kershaw County First Steps?

Kershaw County First Steps is a local nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that every child enters school ready to succeed. We partner with families, community members, and organizations to provide opportunities, develop solutions, and fund high-quality programs that support the healthy development and school readiness of children from birth to age five.

As a connector and convener of early childhood stakeholders in Kershaw County, we work to strengthen collaboration and expand access to effective early childhood services, helping communities deliver and enhance the support young children and their families need to thrive.

Our team in front of new Kershaw County First Steps signage

Our Mission

Through community collaboration, Kershaw County First Steps will provide access to resources and support for families, enabling children to enter school ready to learn.

Our Vision

Every Kershaw County child will be prepared for success in school.

Our Purpose

The purpose of the Kershaw County First Steps Child Care Training program is to enhance the child care staff’s knowledge of children’s growth and development, curriculum, guidance and program administration.  KCFS will provide certified training in the DSS required areas.  Enhancing the child care staff’s core knowledge will create a quality enhanced environment for the children in their care.

Our Values.

As a local partnership to South Carolina First Steps, we share common values.

Children

From prenatal development through age five, our focus and priority are young children and their families and caregivers.

Relationships

We cultivate positive, supportive, respectful, and reinforcing interactions between people that shape development, build community, increase success and productivity, foster learning and growth, and affirm the unique value of individuals, caregivers, parents and children.

Equity

We ensure all people have the opportunity and resources to be successful and that all voices are solicited and heard.

High quality

We ensure that our programs and services are culturally-responsive, inclusive, and developmentally-appropriate and are delivered with fidelity to the model being implemented. Our products, services, and operations are marked by excellence.

Results

We produce meaningful and measurable impact and outcomes.

Meet the Team.

Katie Nichols

Executive Director

Stephen James

Director of Operations

Rudine McLeod

Program Director

Jessica Clea

Community Outreach Coordinator 

Joanne Johnson, Parent Educator

Joanne Johnson

Parent Educator

Shameaka Demeary, Parent Educator

Shameaka Demeary

Parent Educator

Victoria Truesdale, Parent Educator

Victoria Truesdale

Parent Educator

Jobs

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Office & Mailing Address.

Office Address

401 Church Street, Suite B
Camden, SC 29020

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Mailing Address

P.O. Box 669
Camden SC 29021

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