PUTTING CHILDREN FIRST
Agency History and Evolution
Nestled in the historic South Wedge neighborhood of Rochester,
Rochester Childrfirst Network (RCN), has a deep-rooted history in our community. Founded in 1857 by a philanthropic
group of Rochester women, RCN began as the Rochester Industrial School, providing basic education to "vagrant
and destitute children." Today, RCN continues as a large early childhood agency - the third oldest in the
United States. RCN has evolved with the changing needs of society and children into a highly regarded not for profit
early childhood agency, exemplifying excellence, innovation and advocacy in early childhood education.
As our founders intended, Rochester Childfirst Network serves
children from all economic backgrounds, reserving 50% of enrollment for children from economically disadvantaged
households. Balancing enrollment in this way allows children with all abilities and from diverse backgrounds to
learn and thrive in a "real world" educational setting. Children with emotional, developmental, or physical
challenges learn and grow in classrooms with typically abled children, receiving specialized therapies for speech,
problem solving, motor development and social-emotional needs. The result is a unique, inclusive educational environment
where children of all abilities thrive.
RCN's mission: We are a not for profit agency dedicated to advancing
the quality of Early Childhood Education in Western New York, through leadership, advocacy, and innovative direct
services to children.
Specialized Leading-Edge Programs:
Rochester Childfirst Network serves more than 2,000 children each year through accredited early childhood and outreach
programs.
- 170 children in our Children's Program (ages 18 months-12 years old),
- 50 in our Preschool (birth-5 years) SMILE (Successful Milestones In Learning
Environments) special education program,
- 2,000 children (birth-12 years) receiving care through our network of over 200 Family
Child Care providers.
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