Cotton Mill Learning Center

Educational First Steps (EFS) is dedicated to empowering early childhood educators and childcare centers in providing high-quality learning environments for children from birth to age five, especially in historically under-resourced communities. By offering professional development, mentoring, and business support, EFS collaborates with childcare centers and home-based providers to enhance teaching practices, attain national accreditation, and ensure children are ready for success in school and beyond. EFS endeavors to provide equitable education opportunities to all children, regardless of their economic circumstances or location. EFS follows strategic pillars that include supporting early childhood centers in high-need areas, focusing on pipeline leadership development, teacher retention, business coaching, and family engagement. By enhancing early childhood teacher retention through professional development, training, and data support, EFS assists educators in mastering skills, obtaining credentials, and becoming developmental specialists. EFS also supports the K-12 continuum for early literacy by offering curriculum and tools to promote school readiness from infancy to preschool. Through strengthening local childcare, EFS contributes to educational excellence, local entrepreneurship, social equity, policy-level change, and workforce development. Recognizing that early childhood is crucial for lifelong learning and success, EFS aims to create a transformative impact across generations by investing in high-quality early learning experiences. EFS remains a steadfast partner in the journey towards quality early childhood education, fostering collaboration with childcare providers to achieve national accreditation and enhance their reputation. Generated from the website content