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COLUMBIA, S.C. – ´óÏó´«Ã½ First Steps today announced the kickoff of Countdown to Kindergarten, an annual initiative focused on preparing young children for success in school. Through partnerships with schools and community organizations across ´óÏó´«Ã½, Countdown to Kindergarten provides rising kindergartners and their families with resources and support for a smooth transition to the classroom.

"Every child deserves a positive start in school, and Countdown to Kindergarten is our commitment to making that happen," said Janice Kilburn, school transition coordinator at ´óÏó´«Ã½ First Steps. "By working together with educators and community partners, we are helping families across the state build the confidence and connections they need to support their child's academic success from the very beginning."

A of 2,727 parents and caregivers in ´óÏó´«Ã½ revealed that 75% of parents need help knowing how to prepare their child for kindergarten.

The Countdown to Kindergarten initiative addresses this need through a variety of activities and resources designed to engage children, families, and communities. These efforts focus on encouraging early registration, fostering connections with schools, promoting school readiness, and linking families with community resources.

This year, ´óÏó´«Ã½ First Steps has partnered with 90 school districts and community organizations in 33 counties, including:

Abbeville County First Steps

Abbeville County School District

Aiken County First Steps

Aiken County Public School District

Anderson County First Steps

Anderson School District 2

Anderson School District 3

Anderson School District 4

Anderson School District One

Saint Joseph Catholic School (Anderson)

Barnwell County First Steps

Barnwell County Consolidated School District

Círculos de Bienestar (Berkeley)

Calhoun County First Steps

Calhoun County School District

Cherokee County First Steps

Cherokee County School District

Chester County First Steps

Chester County School District

Clarendon County First Steps

Clarendon County School District

Colleton County First Steps

Colleton County School District

East Coast Migrant Head Start Project (Colleton)

Darlington County First Steps

Darlington County School District

Dorchester County First Steps

Dorchester County School District 4

Oakbrook Elementary School (Dorchester District Two)

Fairfield County First Steps

Fairfield County School District

Florence 1 Schools

Florence County School District 2

Florence County School District 3

Florence District 5 Schools

Florence County First Steps

Georgetown County School District

EdVenture Children's Museum

Horry County First Steps

Kershaw County First Steps

Kershaw County School District

Lancaster County First Steps

Lancaster County School District

Lee County First Steps

Lee County School District

Tomorrow's Leaders (Lee)

American Leadership Academy (Lexington)

Lexington County First Steps

Lexington County School District One

Lexington School District 2

Lexington School District 4

Lexington-Richland School District 5

Marion County First Steps

Marion County School District

McCormick County First Steps

McCormick County Schools

Newberry County First Steps

Newberry County Library System

School District of Newberry County

Oconee County First Steps

School District of Oconee County

Orangeburg County First Steps

Orangeburg County School District

Pickens County First Steps

School District of Pickens County

EdVenture Children's Museum

PASOs (Richland)

Richland County First Steps

Richland School District 2

´óÏó´«Ã½ ETV (Richland)

Children’s Museum of the Upstate-Spartanburg

Spartanburg County First Steps

Spartanburg School District 1

Spartanburg School District 2

Spartanburg School District 3

Spartanburg School District 4

Spartanburg School District 5

Spartanburg School District 6

Spartanburg School District 7

Upstate Family Resource Center (Spartanburg)

Ragin Preparatory Christian Academy (Sumter)

Union County First Steps

Union County Schools

Williamsburg County First Steps

Williamsburg County School District

Clover School District (York)

Fort Mill School District 4 (York)

Rock Hill School District (York)

York County First Steps

York School District 1

Families are encouraged to visit countdownsc.org for useful information to help prepare children for kindergarten. The website features helpful tips, resources, a school directory, and a calendar showcasing local Countdown to Kindergarten events.

Topics: School Transition

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