North Central Michigan College (NCMC) is proud to announce that its Early Learning Center (ELC) will open on Monday, June 9, 2025, bringing a new standard of high-quality, full-time childcare to families in Emmet County.
Located in the Pre-K Education Building on NCMC’s Petoskey campus at 1421 Howard Street, the center will serve up to 12 infants, toddlers, and young preschoolers in a multi-age classroom rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy—a child-centered approach that encourages exploration, creativity, and collaboration through play.
The ELC will operate Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., offering families a safe, nurturing, and educational environment led by experienced early childhood professionals.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 10, at 10 a.m. on-site. The community is invited to attend and tour the new facility following the event.
“The need for quality childcare is high in our community,” said Dr. David Roland Finley, president of NCMC. “The Early Learning Center will fill a much-needed gap for our students as well as families in Emmet County.”
The ELC is a pillar of Phase II of North Central’s Child Care Initiative (CCI), a strategic effort to build a sustainable, community-focused childcare system in Northern Michigan. The center follows a true-cost business model, ensuring the delivery of exceptional care while supporting a living wage and benefits for its dedicated staff.
“This center represents the heart of our mission—to elevate early childhood education as both a career and a community cornerstone,” states Jen Wixson, Early Childhood Education program coordinator and instructor. “We’re not only nurturing children; we’re building a stronger, more equitable future for families and the early care workforce in Northern Michigan.”
In addition to its Reggio Emilia-based curriculum, the center features a brand-new, nature-inspired playground designed to promote daily outdoor play and nature-based learning—core elements of the center’s inquiry-based philosophy.
The NCMC Early Learning Center is fully licensed through the State of Michigan and meets all requirements for health, safety, and quality care.
“As the Program Director, I am thrilled to see our team’s vision come to life with the opening of the Early Learning Center,” says Anne Thornton. “Working side by side with a team of dedicated and passionate teachers, we are crafting a unique and enriching environment that embodies the principles of the Reggio Emilia philosophy. The commitment to our shared values will be reflected in every aspect of the program, from how we document children’s learning to creating environmental stewards on our natural playground.”
Families interested in enrolling can begin the process by visiting: ncmich.edu/community-events/early-learning-center. There, parents will find details about the teaching philosophy, staff bios, enrollment,
tuition, financial assistance and policies. Interested families are encouraged to
fill out the online form to be placed on the NCMC ELC waitlist.