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Enrollment, Tuition and Policies

Getting started at the NCMC Early Learning Center is simple and family-focused.

Our Enrollment Process outlines the steps to enroll your child, including submitting a waitlist form, touring the center, and completing the application process. Families can find important dates, open house details, and registration deadlines all in one place. The Tuition and Fees section overviews costs, payment options, and available financial assistance. In addition, review our Calendar and Closure Dates for essential scheduling information. We’re here to guide you every step of the way!

Enrollment Process

Step-by-step guide to enrolling children at the ELC:

Children are enrolled throughout the year based on availability. The following process is followed when enrolling at the ELC. 

  1. Fill out this online form to be placed on the NCMC Early Learning Center waitlist.
  2. The ELC Director will contact you within five business days to confirm your spot on the waitlist and, if possible, provide an enrollment timeline.
  3. Once a start date is confirmed, the ELC Director will schedule a program visit.  At this visit, a program staff member will cover philosophy and operations, introduce you to other staff members, give a program tour, and review the documentation needed for your child to begin. Upon executing a contract and tuition agreement, the following forms will be shared through Brightwheel and, per licensing, will need to be fully complete and uploaded before your child’s first day: 
    1. Family Contract, including a signed tuition agreement
    2. Child Information Card
    3. Immunization Records or Waiver
    4. Health Appraisal (must be completed by qualified medical professional)

4. Upon executing a contract, a family will be required to pay an enrollment holding fee of $500 to hold their start date.  In the event that the family decides not to enroll, the fee will be non-refundable. When a family begins with the program, the $500 will be credited to their first month of tuition.

Anne Thornton

Questions? I can help!

Anne Thornton
Child Care Program Director
athornton1@ncmich.edu
231-439-6223

Tuition, Fees, and Payment Policies

At the ELC, we are committed to providing high-quality care and education, providing our staff with a research-based, annual living wage and benefit package, and serving as a demonstration site for early childhood professionals, scholars,  and NCMC students.  Our annual tuition policy is designed to ensure that we can stay true to these commitments and be a catalyst for upward growth for the early childhood system as a whole; increasing professionalism, encouraging continuing education, and providing technical assistance and data to programs at the local, state and national level. Tuition rates are evaluated on an annual basis. Families are notified three months in advance of any tuition changes.

2025 Tuition:

  • Full-Time Care (5 Days a Week from 7:30-5:30 pm): $2,000 monthly.

Payment Schedule:

  • Through the Brightwheel parent portal, families will sign a tuition agreement with the  ELC Director to customize their best payment plan.  Options include monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly payments.  Brightwheel allows families to attach a credit card for convenient payments and gives auto-pay options.  The ELC will also accept check payments via the envelopes provided; please see the Director if this works best for your family.  A $150 late fee will be added to the account if the monthly balance is not paid in full. 

Withdrawal policy:

  • A written notice of four weeks is required for withdrawal from the program.
  • Tuition is non-refundable. However, if you withdraw within the 4-week required window, any prepaid tuition for the remaining months will be refunded.

Financial Assistance:

  • The Child Development and Care Child Care Scholarship is a State of Michigan program for income-eligible families. Families can apply online for CDC and other assistance. Please note that the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) has announced changes to make it easier for more families to access low—or no-cost child care. Effective February 25, 2024, MiLEAP eliminated the requirement for primary parents to work with the Office of Child Support to qualify for child care scholarship assistance.
  • Some employers offer Duo Share and Tri Share programs to offset child care costs for their employees.  To learn more about this option, contact your Human Resources Department regarding participating in these programs.
  • NCMC Student Parents are eligible for subsidized child care through the CCAMPIS (Child Care Access Means Parents in School) grant funding.  Please contact the CCAMPIS Advisor and Activities Coordinator for more information. 

Calendar/Closure Dates

The ELC is committed to transparency of the “when” and “why” we will close the program. The following reasons guide program staff to develop an annual calendar to share with families, providing ample time to plan for backup child care:  

  • Maintenance and Training: Some breaks are used for deep cleaning, maintenance, and staff training. This ensures that the environment remains safe and that staff are up-to-date with the latest child care practices, professional development, and licensing regulations.
  • Cultural and Religious Observances: The ELC is closed to observe major cultural and religious holidays, allowing families and staff to celebrate these important occasions.
  • Staff Well-being: Scheduled breaks allow staff to rest and recharge, which is crucial for maintaining high-quality care and preventing burnout.

Holidays and Professional Development Days 

The ELC is closed on the following predetermined dates: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day. In addition, to maintain our accreditation and licensing requirements, quarterly professional development days will be written into the calendar. Families will be provided with a calendar upon enrollment with the scheduled holidays and breaks so they may plan for alternative child care accordingly.


Unplanned Absences and Inclement Weather

We remain committed to providing our employees with an annual living wage and benefit package. ELC staff are paid regardless of closure and/or lowered attendance due to illness or other factors. 

The ELC is part of the North Central Michigan College’s campus and, therefore, relies on infrastructure such as IT, business office services, and facilities, including snow and ice removal.  If North Central Michigan College closes the campus or releases classes early due to weather, the ELC will be closed or released early.  This will be communicated via Brightwheel and posted on North Central Michigan College’s social media outlets and webpage.  

Families are responsible for paying for all contracted care. The same daily rate is due regardless of predetermined holiday or professional development closures, unplanned absences, and delays or closures due to inclement weather.