Countdown to Kindergarten

Graphic with text: 'Countdown to Kindergarten' and a yellow school bus icon, with the First Steps South Carolina logo.
A young boy with dreadlocks wearing a plaid shirt, jeans, white sneakers, and carrying a backpack and a lunchbox, standing on a sidewalk in front of a house yard with green bushes.

Preparing For the Big Day.

Getting children ready for school is team effort. When families, schools, and communities work together, we can ensure that all children start school ready to reach their highest potential. With Countdown To Kindergarten, we’re doing our part to help Lexington County’s children transition smoothly into kindergarten.

A young girl sits at a table in a library, coloring or drawing, with two women sitting on either side of her. The woman on the left has dark hair and is wearing a white cardigan over a green dress, while the woman on the right has short, curly hair and is wearing a black shirt. The table has small containers of Play-Doh and art supplies on it. The library shelves in the background are filled with books.

What is Countdown to Kindergarten?

Developed by South Carolina First Steps in 2003, Countdown to Kindergarten supports transitions into schools for children entering 5K by connecting incoming students, their families, and their teachers in a series of one-on-one sessions during the summer. The program is designed for rising kindergartners who may benefit from additional support to ensure a successful start to their school journey. Teachers complete six one-hour sessions with each child alognside their parent or caregiver. Five visits in the family's home (or another preferred meeting place) and a final visit in the kindergarten classroom.

HOW IT WORKS

Flowchart detailing steps for a child's education process including 'The Match,' 'Home Visits,' 'Learn,' and 'Final Visit'.

336

Rising Kindergarteners Served

Impact By the Numbers

136

4 Year Old Kindergarteners Served

2,830

Total School/Home Visits

Thanks to our strong partnerships, Countdown to Kindergarten is active in every school district in the county. Availability varies by specific elementary school, so please reach out to our team to see if your child’s school is participating this summer.

Get Involved

We exist to fully support the success of all children and their families in Lexington County. Help us finish the mission.

Every dollar you give goes directly to our programs, helping us provide real services to families in need across Lexington County.

Got some time to spare? Join us and make a hands-on difference in our community—help us finish the mission.

Join us for upcoming events where we bring people together to connect, share, and build a stronger community.