LCFS Wins Centers of Excellence Grant for Two Centers

Two Lexington County child care centers have been selected to share a $400,000 grant designed to enhance their delivery of quality care to young children.

Lexington County First Steps has been awarded the Center of Excellence grant to assist Gaston Childcare Center and Emmanuel Wee Care in Swansea for a two-year, comprehensive quality improvement effort. The grant was issued by South Carolina First Steps via funding provided by the General Assembly in the wake of Judge Thomas W. Cooper Jr. school funding equity ruling.

The grants were available to centers in 28 school districts that were plaintiffs in the funding lawsuit. Centers in five districts were selected for COE grants. Both Lexington County centers are in School District 4, which has been a key partner in the effort to win the grant.

“We are tremendously excited that two centers in our county will have this wonderful opportunity to dramatically improve their nurturing of young children,” said Gina Henderson, Lexington County First Steps board chair. “This project will demonstrate how powerful community partnerships can produce excellent care for young children."

The centers will work with Lexington County First Steps staff to implement a comprehensive improvement plan that will include:

• Staff training in the latest research-based instruction techniques.


• On-site mentoring and technical assistance.


• Scholarship assistance for needy students.


• Parent education initiatives.


• Developmental screening and child assessment.


• Staff incentives, including scholarships to further their education.


• Improvements to facilities and classroom materials.
  

Annual Fun Fair Draws More than 1,000

The Fun Fair at the Library on Wednesday was a hugh success with 1,093 people! That is a record number and it was certainly worth all the planning and efforts that went into it.

I want to thank Julie for the usual good job in coordinating the event with the assistance of Pat Wise. Again, the Parent Centers' staffs came through and we could not do this without them along with Board members who participate. A special thanks is extended to Ebenezer Pentacostal Holiness Church in South Congaree for again allowing us to use their trailer for transporting tents, supplies, tables, etc. to and from the library; (and we can't forget the driver, our own Board Chair, Gina Henderson, whose husband is a Pastor at the church!). Many hands are required in an event of this size, and this is a great example of the "partnership" which characterizes First Steps. - Jim Riddle

Here are some photos from the event.


Magician Chad Crews entertains young and old.





Camel rides are always a big hit at the Fun Fair.

More Photos from Saturday's Conference

Conference Draws Record Crowd

More than 550 educators from across South Carolina attended the Early Care & Education Conference Saturday at Batesburg-Leesville High School, an increase of nearly 200 participants over last year. This comprehensive training conference is hosted by First Steps of Lexington and Saluda counties and provides early childhood educators a great way to keep current on trends in the professon.



The conference began with a fun session by magician Chad Crews who mixed tricks with a message about the importance of reading.






Lexington County First Steps Director Jim Riddle played a starring role in one of Chad's tricks.

Fifth Annual Early Care & Education Conference March 3

First Steps of Lexington & Saluda Counties will be hosting the fifth Early Care & Education Conference Saturday March 3 at Batesburg-Leesville High School. This event has quickly established itself as one of South Carolina's leading training opportunities for early childhood educators and hundreds of people from around the state are expected to attend.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Thomas Moore, an early child education consultant who has given more than 800 speeches and workshops around the world. He has appeared before audiences ranging from Harvard University to Nigeria.

For more information, contact the Lexington County First Steps Office. Event organizers are also eagerly seeking volunteers. If you are a LCFS board member, we would love to have you attend March 3.