About Us

Gifted Learning Academy (GLA)

Opened it’s doors on January 7, 2019. The facility is located in Salisbury, North Carolina in a newly built home and renovated community. Though GLA is a fairly new establishment, it is rapidly flourishing. Since it’s opening, Gifted Learning Academy has provided quality childcare to meet the needs of the community. The Center has been and remains committed to excellence in child care. Gifted Learning Academy has provided just that so far for the many families it is currently serving and has serviced. 

Quality Care Through Excellent Programming

We understand the anxiety parents face when selecting an early childhood education program for their precious little ones. Oftentimes parents will question:

Will my child…

• be safe and free from harm?

• feel comfortable and happy?

• be with adults who are warm and responsive?

• still love me best?

• have interesting things to see and do?

• learn to get along with other children?

• be with adults who know and respect our family’s culture?

Parents want the best for their children and so do we! We appreciate how important these early years are in a child’s development. We know that when young children receive warm and responsive care – at home and in school – we help shape their future development and ability to learn.

We are committed to preparing children for their future academic careers through early childhood education, while inspiring a love of lifelong learning!

Food & Nutrition

Included in the price of tuition, our students receive healthy meals provided in our on-site facilities. All of our meals provide nutritious choices and a great start for a healthy lifestyle while also meeting dietary restrictions and requirements.

Our Community

Our families come from nearby communities, creating a close-knit environment and strong parent partnerships. Whether we’re close to home or near the office, our center is ideal for busy working families and easy to get to – for pick-up and drop-off or to stop in for a visit.

Health & Safety

Your child’s health and safety are our top priority. Our centers have strict guidelines for cleanliness and security and we’re proud to be recognized as a health-and-wellness model for child care centers by the Partnership for a Healthier America.

Meet the Owner

Richelle Pugh

Director, Owner, & Operator

Richelle has had a passion for children since the young age of twelve. She began babysitting very early with the help of her parents. They played a vital role in encouraging her strong desire to assist in providing care for children. Her parents allowed her to babysit children at their home and helped her manage her finances.

While enrolled in in college at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) , Richelle received her Bachelors in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Development. Still pursuing a passion for children, she moved to West Virginia and worked with a national volunteer service called AmeriCorps. She worked in this position for two years. During her time in West Virginia she served at the Morgantown Boys and Girls Club as an after school teacher and eventually became a supervisor, working underneath the Assistant Director.

Richelle moved back to Charlotte and returned to UNC Charlotte where she earned her graduate certificate in Elementary Education. During this time she taught 2nd grade and immediately moved into Early Childhood as an Assistant Director at KinderCare Learning Center. She later accepted the same position at The Goddard School.

Richelle decided to open up her own childcare center. She wanted to provide affordable, flexible, safe, and accommodating childcare to all families. She also wanted to help students build on their own interest and gifts like her parents did for her. Her parents instilled confidence and perseverance in her that helped her push through adversity of any kind. Richelle strives to build this same foundation in her students before they begin school. She hopes to accomplish this through her lessons and teachings.