Our Program​

The preschool program at Early Learning Center is one that reflects the belief that learning takes place primarily through exploratory play activities. Activities vary considerably in the amount of adult guidance which accompanies them, and it is our belief that a good preschool program offers both directed and non-directed activities which encourage children to plan and think about what they are doing. Group activities include story time, show-and-tell, music and movement, games, cooking projects, and a variety of special teacher-planned activities, which frequently involve the entire class at once. 

Individual and small group play activities are numerous, and what is offered varies from week to week. These activities are selected by the children and include opportunities for block building, housekeeping play, climbing and large muscle play (both indoors and outdoors), dramatic play (including puppets and dress-up), easel painting, crafts, numerous art activities, sand and water play, puzzles, and a variety of conceptual activities which involve preschool math and science, as well as language arts. Early Learning Center attempts to provide a balanced program with a variety of developmentally appropriate activities to stimulate the children’s interest and to promote social-emotional, intellectual, physical and creative growth. Families will also benefit from our early education program.
 
Our educators use the Michigan Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Preschoolers as a guide to develop the curriculum and draw strongly from The Creative Curriculum along with others to develop a program that focuses on the development of the whole child.

For enrollment at ELC, all children must:

  1. Be the age of two years and six months 

  2. Be mostly toilet trained

  3. Have the clearance of a licensed physician with up-to-date vaccination records

Children with special needs are eligible for enrollment. See the director for details. No child will be refused admission on the basis of race, creed, sex, religion, or national origin

  • Our Mission

    Early Learning Center provides a safe and nurturing learning environment for preschool-aged children of all cultural backgrounds and abilities. We believe that learning takes place primarily through exploratory play. We offer a variety of both directed and non-directed activities to encourage children to develop a strong sense of curiosity, self-esteem, and independence.

  • Our Philosophy

    Early Learning Center supports a developmentally appropriate practice where young children learn and grow through play and hands-on exploration.  Our experienced team of teachers create a rich learning environment in which children are actively engaged in joyful play. Playful learning allows the child to be creative and discover their sense of self while developing their social-emotional, cognitive and physical growth. At Early Learning Center, children are supported by positive caring teachers who help to build confidence in themselves and develop a lifetime love for learning.

Early Learning Center is a star-rated, Great Start to Quality preschool located in central Ann Arbor. ELC was incorporated in January 1975, for the purpose of providing a unique preschool program for children in the Washtenaw County area. We are a traditional half-day preschool program that serves children 2 1/2 to 5 years of age. We have the Caterpillar class that is for children 2 1/2 to 3 years of age, and the Butterfly class is for children ages 4 to 5.  

Our preschool is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is operated by a Board of Trustees consisting of parents of present or former students.  We are licensed by the State of Michigan and have a high quality rating (4 star rating) from Michigan's Great Start to Quality Program.