By Kayla Henson
CCPC
Families in Columbus County now have access to a Rootle Discovery Corner—a fun, child-friendly space designed to spark curiosity and support early learning through play. Hosted by the Columbus County Partnership for Children (CCPC), this special corner is stocked with free educational resources including books, literacy games, STEM activities, hands-on learning tools, and PBS KIDS materials.
The Discovery Corner will be housed in the Partnership’s Early Learning and Family Resource Center (ELF), a lending library with resources for early childhood educators and parents.
“We greatly appreciate PBS for the generous donation of a Rootle Discovery Center,” said Dr. Selena Rowell, executive director of CCPC. “This gift represents more than just educational materials—it’s a gateway to imagination, exploration, and hands-on learning for children in our community.
“With Rootle’s engaging content and interactive experiences, we’re excited to foster curiosity and creativity in young minds, empowering them to discover the world around them in meaningful ways. PBS and the Partnership are committed to early childhood education and to helping to build a brighter future—one discovery at a time.”
Rootle Discovery Corners are created with parents, caregivers, and educators in mind, offering easy, engaging ways to help children build school readiness and early literacy skills. Everything is centered around play-based learning—and it’s completely free to explore and enjoy.
With one Rootle Discovery Corner in every North Carolina county, these colorful bookcases can be found in libraries, family resource centers, Smart Start and Partnership for Children locations, children’s museums, and more. They’ve been used in Parent, Educator, and Play and Learn programs, lending libraries, and family engagement efforts across the state.
Columbus County’s Rootle Ambassador, Jennifer Stringfield, is a member of CCPC’s Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). She suggested the ELF as a potential location for the center.
“I am so thankful for the opportunity to represent Columbus County as the Rootle Ambassador, and I am so excited that we are able to have the Discovery Center at Smart Start! I believe that it will enhance the joy of learning in our community at an early age,” Stringfield said.
Thanks to special funding, all materials are provided for free use – making it even easier for families to discover, learn, and grow together. The ELF is located at 107 W. Main St. in Whiteville and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday and from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Fridays.
About CCPC
Columbus County Partnership for Children (Smart Start) is part of a statewide network of 75 nonprofit agencies working to advance a high-quality system of early care and education for families with children ages birth to five in North Carolina. The network seeks to ensure that all children receive the supports that they need in order to be prepared for kindergarten and ultimately, academic success. Funding through the Trust enables us to serve more families as well as children who are older than five years old.
For additional information about Columbus County Partnership for Children, call 910-642-8226. Visit the office at 109 W. Main St. in Whiteville or online at www.columbussmartstart.com. “Like” ColumbusSmartStart on Facebook.
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