“I really appreciate how much both my children are cared for each day. I can tell how much my children are loved when I walk in the door and they’re called by name when they pass any of the staff or teachers in the hallway. I really appreciate that everyone at Rushton puts the well being of the kids first from the Covid protocols to the activities for the kids throughout the day. And overall, I trust everyone at Rushton and know that my children are loved and cared for when I’m not there. Plus it’s really fun to see how my kids light up when they see their friends!”

~Ashley Ball

OUR VISION


At the core of the Rushton Center’s philosophy is the belief that children learn by experiencing their environment and the things and people in it. We feel that experiences are best accomplished through play or “learning by doing.”


The teacher’s role is to provide a challenging and stimulating environment in which children can freely explore their surroundings so that the total development of each child is enhanced. Children grow and develop physically, socially, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.


Our state-of-the-art facility, active learning approach to curriculum, and qualified staff create the type of environment that will give children developmentally appropriate choices and critical thinking skills while promoting growth in each of these areas.

OUR HISTORY


In 1993, members of the First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham (FPC) decided to open a superior quality childcare program to serve the working parents in downtown Birmingham’s City Center. Enlisting the help and financial resources of the church’s members and the assistance of four corporations in the downtown area, FPC raised the funds necessary to build our state-of-the-art facility. The Elizabeth Perry Rushton Child Development Center (the “Rushton Center”) is built to accommodate 108 children from six weeks to seven years of age. The Rushton Center opened in September 1995 and was licensed by the Alabama Department of Human Resources.


In May 1997, the Rushton Center first received national accreditation through the National Association for the Education of the Young Child (NAEYC) and the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs.


In August 2013, the Rushton Center became recognized as a state certified Pre-K program. The well-regarded program provides high-quality early childhood experiences that prepare Alabama's children for school success and lifelong learning. The Rushton Center has maintained this certification since the original award.


While the Rushton Center is housed in a building adjacent to FPC, it is a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation and is operated by a Board of Directors composed of Rushton Center parents, FPC representatives, and community members.

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