"To enable families to assist their children
to enter first grade healthy and ready to learn!"


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"The Economic Impacts of the Child Care Industry in South Carolina
Investing Early for Future Economic and Community Benefits"

Download Economic Impact Study Report

This report, authored by Dr. Donald Schunk from the USC Moore School of Business, was commissioned by Richland County First Steps and the Richland County Early Education Council with additional support from SC First Steps, United Way of the Midlands, and Voices for South Carolina's Children.

We hope that you will take the time to read the entire report. Our "plan" is to call on First Steps and United Way/Success by Six leaders in local communities across the state to assist us with sponsoring a series of "community forums" in September/October to generate dialogue and further input about the recommendations outlined at the end of the report. It is the intent of all of us who have worked on this project to use it to support positive change for the child care industry in our state. Once the details of the community forums have been established we will be planning a more public and formal release of this report.

We appreciate the time and attention given by all of those who reviewed the many drafts of this report and hope many of you will recognize your contribution within its pages. In the mean time if you have any ideas or suggestions for how to put this report to use please contact me.
School Readiness

Most parents watch proudly as their 5-year-old grabs her backpack and heads out the door to her first day of kindergarten?her "official"? start into the world of education and learning. Few might imagine that their child has actually been preparing for this day since she first opened her eyes.

With so much emphasis today on preparing children for school, parents are eager to know how they can help their young children learn. This booklet is designed to help you understand what you can do to get your baby or toddler off to the best start by using your everyday interactions to teach the basic skills she will need to cooperate, get along with others, and be an enthusiastic learner.


Children are born ready to learn. Children are naturally curious beings who are motivated to make sense of the world around them. The brain is the only organ that is not fully formed at birth. During the first 3 years, trillions of connections between brain cells are being made. A child?s relationships and experiences during the early years greatly influence how her brain grows.

Children learn best through their everyday experiences with the people they love and trust, and when the learning is fun.

Remember, children develop at their own pace and in their own way. If your child?s development is delayed, you can adapt the information in this brochure to meet your child?s individual needs. If you are at all concerned about your child?s development, consult a health care provider.

NOTE Kindergarten teachers report that a child's social and emotional "literacy", the development of self-control, respect for others, a sense of confidence and competence, is vital for success in kindergarten. Without these skills, children are at a greater disadvantage in school.

~ Center on Families, Communities, Schools and Children's Learning, 1994.

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