The kids know so much after a few years here, it's amazing! They are an entire year ahead of all…read morethe public schools -- kids who leave for public school do no work for a year, and even the kids who go to Indian Springs or Altamont after Advent say it's pretty easy there because they are so well-prepared. Fabulous school ... and I went to Highlands Day. ;-)

From the owner: To provide a superior, advanced, and enriched education to a diverse student population in a…read morecaring, Christian environment within an equal opportunity school. Advent Episcopal School is an idependent, co-educational school established in 1950 commited to the education of students in a Christian atmosphere providing experienced teachers and staff and a balanced curriculum.

Ardent Greystone is a great childcare option for those who live or work along the 280 corridor. We…read morewere very pleased with the care provided to our youngest son during his time here. The teachers and staff were kind and caring. Our son was well prepared for his transition to Kindergarten.

From the owner: At Ardent Preschool & Daycare, we want the early learning years to be an experience that truly…read moredelights both parents and their children. We commit to pursuing excellence in all areas so that the years spent with us are an investment in which parents cannot afford to miss. We don't want to just see children grow, we want to see them thrive! At Ardent, our desire to continually set standards and exceed expectations sets the stage for a childcare experience that families want to be a part of! We would love to have your family join us!

Ardent Preschool and Daycare at Trace Crossings has been a solid choice for our family. The staff…read moreis professional, dependable, and clearly experienced. Teachers are attentive and focused on both academics and social-emotional development. Communication with parents is reliable and transparent. The facility is consistently clean, well-maintained, and organized. The program is structured, which has helped our child stay engaged and progress. For the quality of care, education, and consistency provided, Ardent offers strong value. You're not just paying for supervision, but for a safe, organized environment with intentional teaching. We would recommend Ardent to families looking for a dependable, high-quality preschool or daycare.

We LOVE Ardent... where do I begin?! The facility is immaculate and the curriculum for each class…read moreroom is organized, thoughtful, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. The staff is so friendly and they love our kids SO well. The director is always present and readily available. Their security measures keep my mind at ease throughout the day. My kids have only been there for 2 weeks and I can tell they love it. My toddler tells me she's ready for school in the mornings and comes home with new skills each day. And they don't leave the infants out! My baby is learning new things too- grabbing for bottle, feet, trying new sounds, etc. Thank you Ardent!

Very professional and the kids love their teachers! As a grandmother I highly recommend.read more

They are terrible at communicating, close early all the time and now they're changing (reducing!)…read moretheir hours for the next 3 months with a 4 day notice. What working parent can pick their child up by 4:30 M-T and by 3:30 on Friday? If we wanted that, we'd do MDO. Also, they send children home for no reason and only text and don't call. They are short staffed and do not promote children to the next class timely. They are poorly managed and I would give zero stars if I could.

I visited this organization a few days ago for a tour and to learn more about the services they…read moreoffer. I was i highly impressed--especially with the work they do in the domestic violence space.

From the owner: YWCA Central Alabama is a nonprofit social justice organization dedicated to eliminating racism,…read moreempowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Founded in 1903, the YW works at the intersection of race and gender. Our programs and services address systemic disparities and respond to the needs of women and their families. We provide community housing, domestic violence services and have a nationally accredited child development program. Shop at My Sister's Closet. Get GED and workforce development classes at YWCA Family Resource Center in Woodlawn.

Pathways is an organization and shelter I became connected with within the past month or so. They…read moreserve women and children who are experiencing homelessness. Programs offered are: Day Center - Daytime shelter where women and children can come to get out of the elements, get meals, have access to showers, access to laundry rooms (if available), get clothing, or ask for everyday basic needs (ex: pads, sanitary wipes, sanitizer, toothbrushes/toothpaste, soap, socks, etc). Women and children can stop by during the day to ask for available items without actually staying at the shelter. There are only a limited amount of spaces to stay overnight, but the day center allows access to care for the basics. ELC (Early Learning Center) which is a childcare facility. This is currently under a remodel (looks amazing btw) that should be opening back up by spring or summer. ***Note - They are in need of a couple more committed, caring and enthusiastic teachers for their ELC to better serve the number of children they care for. I believe you can apply on Indeed. Stepping Stones (overnight shelter). Women (unaccompanied) and mother's with children utilize this service with a focus to moving to permanent housing. Safe Haven - Permanent Housing for individuals with mental illness (severe) Pathways also has case managers, social workers, life skills classes, bingo, resources to assist with goals, educational programs, etc. The goal is to reach and achieve independence. DONATIONS - donations make a HUGE difference for the individuals being helped and cared for by Pathways. You can visit their website or social media to see what needs they may have. You can donate food, clothes, shoes, hygienic products, etc. There is also a particular Goodwill you can donate to and mention Pathways. A few items I have noticed that would be beneficial or that are low are: ponchos/rain jackets, razors, brushes and combs for textured hair, hair products for textured hair, tissue, clothing of larger sizes, underwear, pull ups, towels, etc. You can find out how to help or volunteer by visiting their website or social media. I have found several businesses actually give their employees the option to volunteer in place of some of their work days during the year. All of the staff members I have come in contact with have been wonderful with the people with the shelter, those that just stop by, interns, volunteers, you name it.

Pathways of Birmingham is a United Way agency that serves homeless women and children. They provide…read morehousing, training and education programs to help both women and children transition back into the community. Each year they reach over 1300 women in the Birmingham area. I volunteer my time at Pathways twice a month by organizing/coordinating/leading health sessions at Pathways. It's a wonderful opportunity to give back to my community. There are many ways to help out: either with your time, money, or other donations.