Parents as Teachers
Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a FREE home visiting program designed to build strong communities, thriving families and children who are healthy, safe, and ready to succeed.
PAT services include:
- Personal visits from a parent educator at least twice monthly
- Monthly group connections with other PAT families
- Screenings and assessments to identify developmental concerns
- Connections to outside resources that families may need to succeed
- Three program types, which are described at the bottom of this web page.
Download the PAT Referral Form here
Child Care Training
High-quality child care hinges on high-quality professional development that meets the needs of the local child care workforce. Our training programs are certified through SC Endeavors and include topics in the areas of nutrition, health and safety, curriculum, child guidance, professional development, and program administration.
Child Care Scholarships
For many families in Bamberg County, the cost of quality child care is out of reach. Our scholarship program makes payments to child care providers to care for children from low-income families so their parents can return to school or work. Bamberg County First Steps offers scholarships to families enrolled in our Parents as Teachers Program, as well as income-eligible children whose parent attends school or works at least 20 hours per week.
Four-Year Old Kindergarten
South Carolina First Steps provides eligible children with free enrollment in full-day four-year-old kindergarten. In coordination with First Steps local partnerships and more than 230 private, community and faith-based providers. First Steps 4K expands access to quality early education across the state.