As more parents work nontraditional hours and multiple jobs, more are turning to 24-hour #childcare centers to help raise their children. A new documentary tells the story of this essential but often overlooked sector of our economy. #ThroughTheNight youtu.be/tXx4mM0hHEA

What a great day in SouthCarolina!

Get tested!!

Awesomeness!!

Today Senator Greg Hembree presented to our outgoing board chair, Julie Hussey, with a concurrent resolution expressing deep appreciation for her ten years of distinguished service to the children of SC, and to offer best wishes in the years ahead. Congratulations, Julie!

Dr. Ronald Pitner is the Chair of the #DEI for the Sisters of Charity Foundation. To honor important moments during #BlackHistoryMonth, Dr. Pitner highlights Mary McLeod Bethune. Mary is a world-renowned educator and founder of Bethune-Cookman, an #HBCU in Florida.

The best thing you can do for your children during the holidays is simply this: stay calm. This isn't always easy! But it's so important. When you're calm, it's easier for them to calm. When you're reacting out of stress, they will too. #DoBasics #MaximizeLoveManageStress

What reading routines are in place at your house? It can be as simple as reading aloud for 15 minutes each day. Keep taking those South Carolina First Steps to school readiness. Raising a Reader ReadAloud_org Read, Discuss, Do! @PalmettoBasics #EarlyLiteracy #Literacy #parenting

New month, new theme! Cold weather outside means it's the perfect time of year to snuggle up with your little one and books. Learn more about Basic #5: Read and Discuss Stories. 📚 --> palmetto.thebasics.org/en/the-basics/… #DoBasics #ReadAndDiscussStories

Why rhyming books build a healthy brain! #DoBasics #ReadAndDiscussStories 📚

CDC is updating #COVID19 community recommendations. CDC’s new COVID-19 Community Level tool classifies every county in the US into low, medium, or high, with recommended prevention measures for each level. Check your area’s level and learn more here: bit.ly/community_leve….

Join the campaign to prevent child abuse and neglect 💙

The Countdown to Kindergarten Summit is happening May 11! This 2-hour event is virtual, free, and packed with inspiring presentations and useful info for #kindergarten teachers, #earlychildhood educators and community service providers. Register now: bit.ly/378Bmdl

Fight sitting disease. For the next week, convert one of your meetings to a walking meeting and let the ideas flow with each step. Too much sitting negatively impacts the body’s metabolic system and may increase your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.

Children’s Book Week begins on Monday, May 2! It’s the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country and will celebrate its 103rd anniversary this year. Find out more at everychildareader.net/cbw. #HowDoYouBook

Six states (FL, IA, OK, VT, WV, WI) & DC served at least 70% of 4-year-olds across state-funded preschool, early childhood special education, & Head Start. Several other states are within striking distance. #stateofpreschool NIEER tinyurl.com/rs6xjja9

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! Please make sure each and every educator knows just how appreciated they are. #ThankATeacher

Have you thanked your child care provider lately? This Friday, May 6th, is National Provider Appreciation Day, which recognizes child care providers and teachers, and early childhood educators. Be sure to thank your child care provider for all the hard work they do!

The work of South Carolina First Steps and our partners at SCDHEC is now SC DPH and SCDES and across the state has been highlighted in a new publication from National Academies. nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/26669/…