“The best evidence suggests that learning begets learning, that early investments in learning are effective. As a society, we cannot afford to postpone investing in children until they become adults, nor can we wait until they reach school age—a time when it may be too late to intervene.”
James J. Heckman, Ph.D. and Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences | Professor of Economics and Director, Center for the Economics of Human Development, University of Chicago
What We Do
Our Programs
Quality Counts
For more information click here.
Early Head Start
For more information click here.
Nurse-Family Partnership
For more information click here.
The Franklin School
For more information click here.
Vida Y Salud
Spartanburg First Steps is partnering with Upstate Family Resource Center through an SC First Steps READY grant to expand the existing Vida Y Salud program. Vida Y Salud helps build a stronger South Carolina by supporting Latino communities with education, advocacy, and leadership development. For more information click here.
Countdown to Kindergarten
Countdown to Kindergarten is designed to increase family awareness of kindergarten expectations, create positive home-school relationships, and ensure a smooth transition to school. Spartanburg First Steps has partnered with this program since 2019. For more information click here.
What Drives Us
Our Mission
Spartanburg County First Steps mission is to help all young children in our county arrive at school ready to learn and prepared for success. To accomplish that we:
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Support evidenced-based programs that are designed to strengthen families and support children’s growth and development during the first 5 years of life.
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Build trusting relationships with early learning centers using a model of continuous improvement that helps to build and sustain high-quality learning environments.
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Collaborate with community partners to maximize our efforts and to increase our impact positively on school readiness.
Get Involved
Spartanburg County First Steps works with local businesses, nonprofits, churches, and schools to help all children enter school ready to thrive. This means we support events throughout the year in support of school readiness and the importance of a quality early childhood. If you would like to join us at one or more of these events, let us know by clicking here.
Upcoming Events
Board of Directors' Meeting
May 20, 2026
4:00 – 5:00
Our Impact
48
Child Care
Providers Served
6450
Number of children and adults served by Spartanburg County First Steps in 2023 – 2024
For more information about our impact on Spartanburg County check out our
Annual Report.
2604
Number of children 0-5
enrolled in provider classrooms
Donate Today
The prosperity of Spartanburg County depends on our ability to support quality early education for future generations. Help a child enter school ready to learn and grow!
A donation today is a step toward a healthier, smarter, and stronger community tomorrow.
The
Latest
Spartanburg County First Steps Awarded Federal Grant for Early Head Start
Spartanburg County First Steps Awarded Federal Grant for Early Head Start
December 11, 2014
We are thrilled to announce that Spartanburg County First Steps has been awarded a federal grant of $5.5 million, $1.1 million a year for 5 years, to fund Early Head Start program services.
The Early Head Start program of Spartanburg County consistently serves 120 eligible pregnant women and/or children through comprehensive child development and family services. The program currently functions in 5 childcare centers.
The grant will enable EHS to expand into 5 more centers in the coming year! This is huge news as there are currently between 2,000 and 3,000 children in Spartanburg County that are eligible for acceptance into the program.
Congratulations to Spartanburg County EHS Program Director Ekky Foss and her team are the great news!
Forum – “Early Years Matter”
Forum – “Early Years Matter”
December 10, 2014
Spartanburg County First Steps held its second Free Community Forum of the series “What Matters Most” on Nov. 11, 2014. Dr. Paula Schubert delivered an important message to the audience about how the “Early Years Matter” when it comes to the development of young children. The audience had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss early childhood development with our speaker and panel of experts. Our next Free Community Forum will be held in February 2015. We are excited to have a National Speaker in the field of Early Childhood Development join us. We hope that you will join us too. Stay tuned for details!
Forum – “Early Years Matter”
Forum – “Early Years Matter”
December 10, 2014
Spartanburg County First Steps held its second Free Community Forum of the series “What Matters Most” on Nov. 11, 2014. Dr. Paula Schubert delivered an important message to the audience about how the “Early Years Matter” when it comes to the development of young children. The audience had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss early childhood development with our speaker and panel of experts. Our next Free Community Forum will be held in February 2015. We are excited to have a National Speaker in the field of Early Childhood Development join us. We hope that you will join us too. Stay tuned for details!