In 1984, EC3 opened for business at Michigan School for the Blind as a pilot model to improve the quality of early education for all young children. This was a collaborative effort between the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), the Lansing School District (LSD), local early childhood professionals, and the Ingham County Office for Young Children.
EC3 was developed into a model-training site for the eleven childcare programs that were occupying space in LSD buildings at that time. EC3 also functioned as a child development training site for MSU and LCC, offering an important community link.
In 1998, EC3 began a lease of the Main Street School building and purchased the building in 2006.
EC3’s model program currently serves roughly one hundred families in ten age-specific classrooms. We have an indoor gym, toddler-specific indoor play area, as well as three fenced playgrounds tailored to the different age groups.
EC3 continues to operate as a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide developmentally appropriate childcare in a nurturing environment that promotes growth of the whole child while responding to the needs of the family.
