Skip to content

Frequently Asked Questions

The Reggio Emilia approach is a child-centered philosophy that views children as capable, curious learners who construct their own knowledge through exploration, collaboration, and creativity. At the NCMC Early Learning Center, we implement this approach by fostering inquiry-based, play-driven experiences, providing open-ended materials, and creating a rich learning environment where children’s ideas, questions, and discoveries are valued and documented.

Yes, the NCMC Early Learning Center provides daily opportunities for outdoor play and nature-based learning. Our brand-new, nature-inspired playground offers a safe and engaging environment where children can explore, imagine, and connect with the natural world as part of their learning experience.

Yes, the NCMC Early Learning Center is fully licensed through the State of Michigan, meeting all state requirements for health, safety, and quality care. Additionally, we are pursuing accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to further demonstrate our commitment to excellence in early childhood education.

All NCMC Early Learning Center staff members meet the qualifications and training requirements set by the State of Michigan licensing standards. In addition, our center implements a living wage salary scale and a complete benefit package. We encourage ongoing professional development and the attainment of higher qualifications, ensuring the highest level of care and education for the children we serve.

We offer a multi-age classroom for up to twelve infants, toddlers and young preschoolers, fostering collaboration and meaningful interactions among different age groups. Our program is tailored to meet the unique developmental needs of infants, toddlers, and young children within a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment.

The North Central Michigan College Early Learning Center follows the State of Michigan's teacher-to-child ratios to ensure every child receives attentive, high-quality care. In our multi-age classroom serving children aged 3 to 48 months, we maintain a ratio of 1 teacher for every 4 children, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment.

The ELC’s open from 7:30-5:30, Monday-Friday.  There will be an annual calendar provided to families that take into account major holidays and closures for staff to attend professional development to maintain licensing and accreditation status.

We understand that $2,000 per month for child care is a significant investment for families. This cost reflects our commitment to solving one of the root causes of the child care crisis: the low wages and lack of benefits that have long driven early educators out of the profession.

Most child care programs in our region charge less because they pay staff an average of $15/hour and often cannot offer health insurance, paid time off, or retirement benefits. This system keeps prices lower but relies on a workforce that is underpaid, overworked, and unable to stay in the field, contributing to ongoing staff shortages and long waitlists.

Our program takes a different approach. We are paying teachers a living wage and providing a complete benefit package so that the professionals caring for children can afford to care for their own families, too. This model raises the true cost of care, but it also ensures quality, continuity, and a healthier child care system overall.

We know this model may not be affordable for every family yet. That’s why we’re working with partners to expand tuition assistance options and advocate for public investment in child care, so that families aren’t asked to shoulder the full cost alone. In the meantime, we hope our program can be a step toward a better future for both families and the educators who support them.

We understand that not every family needs full-time child care, and we wish we could offer more flexible options. However, state licensing regulations require us to maintain strict adult-to-child ratios at all times. That means we must staff based on the number of children enrolled, not just the number attending on a given day.

When families enroll part-time with varying schedules—such as mornings only, a few days a week, or just part of the year—it becomes extremely difficult to staff reliably and sustainably. Hiring teachers who are available for only a few fluctuating hours each day is not practical in a model where we offer full-time jobs with living wages and benefits.

We know this limits access for some families, and it’s something we’re actively working to address through future program design and advocacy. As we grow, we hope to find creative solutions that increase flexibility while still honoring our commitment to high-quality care and a stable, well-supported workforce.