C.A.R.E. Academy, in Charleston County, was born from one mother’s dream to create a safe, nurturing environment where all children can thrive. As a single parent, Cushan Brown clearly remembers the mix of fear and uncertainty she felt when enrolling her 4-year-old daughter in preschool, feelings familiar to many parents. Questions about academic readiness, safety, separation anxiety, and the cost of childcare weighed heavily on her mind.
Those fears began to fade when Cushan visited her daughter’s 4K classroom. The center was clean and welcoming, with a strong focus on individualized learning. Teachers provided consistent updates, and the care they showed gave her confidence that her daughter was in good hands.
Inspired by her own experience, Cushan set out to open her own childcare center, one that would give every child the same opportunity to succeed. SC First Steps helped make her vision possible by providing free 4K programs to qualifying families, along with essential classroom materials, furniture, books, and a high-quality curriculum. With this support, Cushan could focus her energy on what really mattered: the children. “The fact that the program is free helps the community and allows us to serve children who might not otherwise have this opportunity,” Cushan said.
To strengthen her leadership, Cushan earned her MBA in Early Childhood Education. She also completed the SC Director’s Credential program through the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership, a nine-month course broken into 10 self-paced modules with monthly group sessions. These sessions focus on classroom management, curriculum planning, and one topic particularly close to Cushan’s heart: early literacy.
“First Steps has done a great job of giving me the knowledge of what children truly need,” she shared. Leadership is crucial for student success and C.A.R.E. Academy believes that success begins in the classroom with well-equipped teachers. To further support this focus, teachers at C.A.R.E. Academy participate in literacy-centered professional development, such as the LETRS Program and 4K Academy, an annual conference hosted by SC First Steps to prepare 4K providers and teachers for the new school year. “We get to sit down with our coaches and ask questions that we may have about the classroom or the curriculum,” Cushan said. “And we implement what we learn into the classroom.”
This kind of hands-on guidance has strengthened Cushan’s approach to early learning. Through these leadership opportunities, she and her staff gained a deeper understanding of phonemic awareness, alphabet knowledge, and sound recognition. One major strategy they have embraced is the Boost program, a personalized reading literacy program that adapts to student's specific needs.
The Boost program has transformed how teachers at C.A.R.E. Academy approach reading instruction. Instead of simply reading a story from beginning to end, teachers dissect each book with their students, identifying key vocabulary, themes, and concepts that go beyond word recognition and build true understanding.
Another major emphasis of the Boost program is vocabulary development. Teachers are encouraged to introduce a “word of the day” and reflect on its purpose. This intentional planning helps students connect language to broader ideas.
Interactive reading has also become a priority in Cushan’s classroom. Teachers now ask two to three open-ended questions during the story, not just at the end, to keep students actively engaged throughout the reading process.
Additionally, book illustrations are used as teaching tools, prompting conversations that build critical thinking skills. “The illustration tells a different story than the text,” Cushan said. “And if we skip over it, we miss an opportunity to engage children in meaningful discussion.” When children ask questions, they begin to think critically and understand the world around them. Books become more than stories, they become windows into imagination, empathy, and exploration.
Schools can help build a child’s love for reading, but the foundation for reading starts at home. That’s why C.A.R.E. Academy actively includes families in the literacy journey. “Once we’re all on the same page, we start doing activities with families,” Cushan said. The center organizes quarterly family engagement events and provides students with books to read at home, so students can practice these skills prior to kindergarten.
These small but powerful moments help ensure that learning continues beyond the classroom walls, and that every child grows up surrounded by stories. At C.A.R.E. Academy, the belief is simple: strong early literacy skills lay the foundation for lifelong learning.
How can you support 4K centers like C.A.R.E Academy?
SC First Steps partners with more than 270 licensed childcare centers and private schools across the state, making it easy for families to find a high-quality program that meets their needs. To see if your child qualifies for First Steps 4K, a free, full-day four-year-old kindergarten for children in South Carolina, learn more about your eligibility.
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First Steps 4K
