Lining the walls of the First Step Resource Center on the campus of Northeastern Technical College in Cheraw are educational toys and learning materials ready to prepare children for school.

“There are materials for infants and children up to 5 years
and everything we have fosters child development and growth to prepare them for success when they start first grade,”
she said.  For example, Norris noted a shelf of shoe-sized, clear plastic boxes, each containing a selection of toys, books, and trinkets that can be used as educational props. 

“Each box has a theme, like space, transportation, weather, the seasons and wild animals” she said. “And the content of each box contains educational toys and activities that promote language, imagination and critical thinking development by using that particular theme.”

Norris, along with First Steps Executive Director Karen Martini, hopes that parents, guardians and child care providers of Chesterfield County will come in to see just how much help these materials and the resource center can offer.

“This center was created to increase access to play-based learning materials for child care providers in our county,” said Martini.  “We are a resource that can help inspire a child’s learning and development so they are prepared to succeed when they enter first grade.”

The First Steps Resource Center is the first facility of its kind in Chesterfield County. Made possible by First Steps funding and a partnership with NETC, the center will offer its services to parents, guardians and child care providers in Chesterfield County.  Students at NETC will also have access to the facility.

After becoming a member, visitors to the center can check out a certain number of educational items in science, math, art, music, literature and dramatic play.  Membership fees vary; but parents and guardians pay $5 per year and individual child care professionals pay $10 per year.  Child care centers pay $25 per year.  There is no charge for currently enrolled NETC students

Free memberships will be offered for one day only for those who attend the center’s open house on November 9, from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.  The public is invited to attend.  A ribbon cutting will be held at 5:00 p.m.  At 5:30 p.m. on the same day, First Steps will also sponsor their Annual Dinner Meeting in NETC’s auditorium. The public is also invited to attend the dinner however; anyone planning to attend the dinner should call 623-5904. 

More information about the center, including the hours of operation, can be obtained by calling the center at 843-537-2059, or by visiting the center on the campus of Northeastern Technical College in Cheraw after November 9.

“We’re glad to have the center on our campus because it benefits our students and the residents of Chesterfield County,” said Dr. Jimmie Williamson, president of NETC.  “Our Early Childhood Development and Elementary Education students can use it as a resource in their course work and child care providers, including  parents, can use it enhance the learning of their children.”