Laurens County First Steps

08/22/2026

08/20/2026

👶✨ Bring your little jumpers to play, bounce, and have BIG fun!

🗓️ Weekly Schedule:

🧸 Wednesdays & Thursdays: 10 AM – 1 PM
🥳 Sundays (BRAND NEW DAY!): 10 AM – 12 PM

🎈 Ages: 6 and under

Tag a toddler parent and come see us! 🙌

08/20/2026

Thank you The City of Laurens, SC from Laurens County First Steps. We are excited to utilize the renovated park with the families that we serve.

08/19/2026

📚 4K is more than a year of school - it’s a year of confidence, friendships, and discovery.

At Thornwell, children learn how to explore, ask questions, and grow as capable learners.

📞 There are still spots available - call today to schedule a tour! https://thornwell.org/programs/child-development-center/

08/19/2026

Parents with children who will be 4 on or before Sept. 1, 2026 with family income(s) between 185% and 300% FPL are now eligible for participation in First Steps 4K. For example, a family of four making $99,000 annually or less now qualifies.

First Steps 4K provides high quality, FREE preschool in private child care, charter schools, and private schools. Check out www.Free4KSC.org for open slots near you!

NOTE: Parents who qualify under expanded eligibility do NOT qualify for 4K+ Sibling Scholarships.

08/19/2026

Laurens County First Steps is excited to be represented at the Building Hope for Children Conference, presented by the Children’s Trust of South Carolina!

Kathryn Meadows, Director of Child Care Training & Parent Educator; Toni Able, Executive Director; and Jackie Riegel, Parent Educator, are spending time learning, connecting, and gaining new ideas to strengthen our work with children, families, and early childhood professionals across Laurens County.

The messages say it all: Promise of Hope. Power of Prevention. Build Hope. 💙

We are proud to be part of a statewide community committed to preventing child abuse and neglect, strengthening families, and helping every child have the opportunity to thrive.

08/12/2026

Hickory Tickory Tots Day Care and Learning Center participated in two important training classes that were coordinated by Kathryn Meadows, Director of Child Care Training for LCFS.

Tammy Compton from Spark Early Learning Consulting presented "Mandated Reporter: Are YOU Responsible?" and "Every Second Counts: Emergency Preparedness" to the child care professionals at Hickory Tickory Tots.

Laurens County First Steps is proud to provided these important training opportunities in Laurens County, and we appreciate the child care centers that participate in these valuable, certified classes.

08/10/2026

Supporting Those Who Care for Laurens County’s Youngest Children

Laurens County First Steps is committed to strengthening the knowledge, skills, and preparedness of the child care professionals who care for our community’s youngest children.

Kathryn Meadows, Director of Child Care Training for Laurens County First Steps, coordinates high-quality, certified professional development opportunities for child care providers throughout Laurens County.

Recently, First Baptist Kindergarten of Laurens and Thornwell Child Development Center participated in two important training sessions led by Tammy Compton of Spark Early Learning Consulting:

• “When Every Second Counts: Emergency Preparedness”
• “Mandated Reporter: Are YOU Responsible?”

Detective Stephen Gragg of the Laurens Police Department Special Victims Unit also joined the training to provide valuable information about the responsibilities and critical role of mandated reporters in protecting children.

Laurens County First Steps looks forward to bringing these important training opportunities to additional child care facilities across Laurens County in the coming weeks.

All training is provided by Laurens County First Steps at no cost to participating child care professionals or centers.

By investing in the professionals who care for young children every day, we are helping create safer, stronger early learning environments for children throughout Laurens County.