Charleston County First Steps

Charleston County First Steps is a childcare organization in North Charleston, SC, dedicated to ensuring that all children in the county are healthy and ready for kindergarten. Since its inception in 1999, the organization has helped thousands of children prepare for school through programs that provide early intervention, strengthen families, and improve child health and well-being. It serves as part of the state’s comprehensive early childhood education initiative, working to increase the quality of early care and education across the region.

The organization operates several distinct programs designed to support both families and childcare providers. Parents as Teachers (PAT) offers free home visiting services, including twice-monthly visits from a parent educator for children from birth to age five, along with screenings and connections to community resources. The Triple P program, backed by over 35 years of research, provides evidence-based parenting strategies through group sessions, including a Level 4 group focused on managing challenging behaviors for parents of children aged zero to twelve. For the workforce, the Child Care Quality Counts program aims to produce measurable improvements in care quality, while training programs certified through SC Endeavors cover nutrition, health and safety, curriculum, and program administration. The staff includes specialized roles such as the Executive Director, Quality Counts Coach, and multiple Parent Educators, including bilingual staff members.

Located at 4975 LaCross Road, Suite 150, the office sits about a third of a mile from the Mark Clark Expressway. It is also within a short distance of the North Charleston Police Department, North Charleston City Hall, the Russelldale Community Center, and the R. Keith Summey Medical Pavilion, with Filbin Creek nearby. This central location on LaCross Road places the organization in close proximity to key municipal and community facilities in North Charleston.

Charleston County First Steps stands as a long-standing partner in the local early childhood sector, having served the community for more than two decades. Its combination of direct family support, workforce training, and community partnerships addresses the specific needs of young learners and their caregivers in North Charleston and the surrounding county.

Services:

• Child Care Training
• Parents as Teachers
• Quality Counts Early Literacy Programs
• Triple P