Rita Gold

Welcome to the Rita Gold Early Childhood Education Center!

The Rita Gold Early Childhood Center serves to promote the growth and development of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families through four inter-related practices:

Child care and early education for young children from 2 months to 5 years
Professional preparation for graduate students
Ongoing research to improve practice and inform theory in early childhood care and education
Outreach activities for early childhood professionals locally, nationally, and internationally

Founded in 1982 as the Center for Infants and Parents and located at Teachers College, the Center now provides inclusive and culturally responsive care for infants, toddlers, preschool children, and their families who are affiliated with Columbia University.

Testimonials

Parent

“Seeing our daughter, Sydney, grow from a crawler with little verbalization to a runner/climber with significant talking in a mere one year is astounding. Sydney's growth has been directly affected by her teachers and her friends. Sydney regularly calls for all of them.”

—Vicky, Parent
2015

Graduate Student

"Every time I observe at RGC, I am struck and so so so very impressed by the children -- the way that they are able to focus for far longer than even I am using toys and materials that have no connection to technology, the endless and limitless story lines and ways to play, their cooperation with one another and ability to talk through conflict. It really feels like Dewey's philosophy of education is being realized here, where each individual is reaching their highest capacity for development (mentally, socially, emotionally). The teachers treat the children with utmost respect and have high expectations for what they can accomplish...I'm thankful for being able to look at this type of classroom with a renewed attitude and vision."

—Bri'Ann, Graduate Student
2016

Student Teacher

“My memories of Rita Gold are all truly wonderful. The teachers and the children have created an environment that is warm, loving, creative and supportive - unlike any I have seen. There is a true sense of community amongst the families, students and staff. Thank you for everything!”

—Anna, Student Teacher
2009-2011

Graduate Assistant

"I worked at Rita Gold as a practicum student and graduate assistant during my enrollment in the early childhood program at Teachers College. I have worked and visited many childhood centers throughout my schooling and career as an early childhood educator but there is really no place like RGC. It was a place of growth, wonder and study for me but I think this was one of the things that made it especially unique for all involved there. Teachers and children were constantly involved in thoughtfulness, exploration, wonder and study."

Graduate Assistant
2008-10