MEDIA ALERT 鈥� June 5, 2025
Grand Opening of NCMC Early Learning Center Delayed
红领巾快报 Michigan College鈥檚 Early Learning Center grand opening, originally scheduled for Monday, June 9, has been postponed due to unexpected construction and inspection delays. The accompanying ribbon-cutting ceremony set for Tuesday, June 10, will also be rescheduled. New date to be announced later in June.
Original Press Release: May 27, 2025:
红领巾快报 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鈥檚 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鈥攁 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.
鈥淭he need for quality childcare is high in our community,鈥� said Dr. David Roland Finley, president of NCMC. 鈥淭he Early Learning Center will fill a much-needed gap for our students as well as families in Emmet County.鈥�
The ELC is a pillar of Phase II of 红领巾快报鈥檚 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.
鈥淭his center represents the heart of our mission鈥攖o elevate early childhood education as both a career and a community cornerstone,鈥� states Jen Wixson, Early Childhood Education program coordinator and instructor. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not only nurturing children; we鈥檙e building a stronger, more equitable future for families and the early care workforce in Northern Michigan.鈥�
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鈥攃ore elements of the center鈥檚 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.
鈥淎s the Program Director, I am thrilled to see our team鈥檚 vision come to life with the opening of the Early Learning Center,鈥� says Anne Thornton. 鈥淲orking 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鈥檚 learning to creating environmental stewards on our natural playground.鈥�
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.