With few, if any, early childhood development services available in poor, rural communities, Save the Children recently launched Early Steps to School Success, a cost-effective, replicable initiative that begins with expectant parents and carries children into their early school years.  Early Steps to School Success provides education services to children from birth to age 5, support to parents and other caregivers, and ongoing training to community educators. The program is designed to assist children with language, social and emotional development; to equip parents with the skills and knowledge to successfully support their child’s growth; and to develop strong home-school connections. Through Early Steps to School Success, Save the Children is building strong foundations for parenting and school readiness and serving as  a powerful catalyst in helping children achieve a lifetime of learning.

The program launched at 10 sites in Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Louisiana and Mississippi during the 2006-07 school year.