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:
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.
