Building Bright Futures Through Exploration & Play
Inspiring Young Minds Begins With a Nurturing Community
Opening in 2025 on North Central's Petoskey campus, the Early Learning Center is where young minds embark on a journey of curiosity and creativity in a safe, nurturing environment. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, our center partners with families and the community to provide a holistic, inquiry-based learning experience for children, fostering curiosity, collaboration, and a lifelong love of learning.
Our Vision and Mission
Vision:
We aim to be a pioneering institution that fosters inquisitive minds, inspires creativity, and promotes inclusive learning environments. Our vision is a world where every child explores, questions, collaborates, and constructs knowledge with enthusiasm and confidence, guided by best practices in early childhood education and supported by advocates at local, state, and national levels.
Mission:
To partner with children, families, and the community in providing a Reggio Emilia-inspired early education experience that nurtures curiosity, independence, and holistic development. We prioritize the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical well-being of every child in a secure and inclusive setting.
Our Core Values
- Relationships: We believe in building trusting, respectful relationships among children, families, and educators as the foundation for learning.
- Social and Cultural Context: We honor each child's background and foster a sense of identity and belonging in a diverse society.
- Holistic Approach: We support children’s social, physical, emotional, and cognitive development, nurturing the whole child.
- Play: Play is essential to learning, fueling creativity, exploration, and a thriving community of learners.
- Professional Learning: We commit to continuous professional growth through reflective practice and research-based teaching.
- Stewardship: We are dedicated to responsible management of resources, advocating for quality early childhood education, and supporting the well-being of our community and environment.
Our Reggio Emilia-Inspired Philosophy
- A Strong Image of the Child: We view each child as competent, curious, and full of potential. This perspective shapes all our relationships and teaching practices.
- The Hundred Languages of Children: Children express their understanding through various symbolic languages, such as art, dance, and play, enabling them to explore multiple perspectives.
- Play-Based Learning & Emergent Curriculum: Our curriculum is driven by children’s interests and curiosity. Long-term projects integrate language, math, science, and arts, helping children see themselves as active investigators.
- The Role of Teachers: Teachers are co-learners and collaborators who nurture curiosity, extend thinking, and support creative exploration alongside the children.
- The Environment as a Third Teacher: Our indoor and outdoor spaces are designed to inspire learning, encouraging children to engage in experimentation, creativity, and independent decision-making.
- Documentation: Through notes, photos, and artifacts, we document children’s learning journeys. This process makes learning visible and honors each child’s progress, sharing it with families, teachers, and the community.
- Partnership with Families: Families are essential partners. Their involvement, ideas, and collaboration enrich our center, fostering a stronger learning community.
To learn more about the foundational principles of the Reggio Emilia approach, visit the official Reggio Children website.
Programs for Young Learners
Our programs are designed to support each stage of early childhood development:
- Infant Program: A warm, secure space where our youngest learners build social connections and engage in sensory experiences
- Toddler Program: Hands-on exploration and social interactions help toddlers build independence and self-confidence
- Preschool Program: Structured, engaging activities foster critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative learning
Join our learning community!
Ready to give your child a meaningful start to their educational journey? The Early Learning Center is now open for enrollment. Contact us to learn more about our program, schedule a visit, or begin the enrollment process.
231-439-6223
1421 Howard St, Petoskey, MI 49770