ELC is Ann Arbor's best kept preschool secret. The teachers have hearts of gold and really love the kids. They create such a great environment for socializing and learning for the kids and do a great job caring for safety as well. I was nervous about taking my kids to preschool at first, but this program has become dearly loved by my children and I. We have also had a number of different teachers there and all have been incredible, speaking to an excellent leadership and administrative culture in the school. read more

We are in love with this place!! The teachers are amazing and do a great job with the kids. They are endlessly patient. I love picking my child up and hearing a little bit about what has happened during the day. They are dedicated to spending time outside. Something really important to me, that ELC does really well, is the way they model language in the class. My daughter wears hearing aids and her speech has improved while there due to them, speech therapy, etc. Every week they send out the theme of their activities and songs they're singing, which is also very helpful. read more

We recently moved from California and were anxious about the transition for our twins. We researched most of the preschools in the area and, as a teacher myself, the philosophy and student centered feel of ELC is what drew our family in. The teachers are AMAZING! Our boys are in the Butterfly class and cannot wait to get to school each morning. The activities set-up, themes for each week, creative integration of curriculum, and time to allow kids to play and socialize has left us beyond impressed. I would recommend this school to anyone who wants their child to love learning and to have a great time while doing it! read more

We have three children, but didn't find this school until our youngest was 3. We had great experiences at other places, but ELC takes the cake! The staff is amazing. They not only offer all of the things that we were looking for in a preschool, but go above and beyond. Our child has grown so much in a year through new songs, hands on experiences and by being with teachers who really love what they do. read more

Our son started in the Rainbow Room last year and is now in the Teddy Bear room as a 4-year-old. We can't say enough about our ELC experience thus far! The teachers are top-notch, the curriculum is engaging and stimulating and the overall atmosphere is just very welcoming and supportive. Both my husband and I have volunteered when our schedules have allowed it and we love having that flexibility. We feel that the ELC is a great way to prepare our son for his kindergarten experience and would highly recommend it to anyone! read more

After 4 kids and 4 different preschools, I have found the most amazing preschool. Early Learning Center is the whole package. The staff are wonderful and excellent at communicating what my child is learning in the classroom. They are professional, but most of all, I can tell they love their work and the children. This is more than just a "job" for them. My son comes home every day talking about what he has learned, singing songs, and identifying colors, letters, and shapes in the world around him. I only wish I had found this preschool earlier! read more

As an educator with over 40 years in early childhood education, I was quite "discerning" when evaluating preschools for my grandchildren. Three of my four grandchildren have attended ELC for a combined eight years. It is simply the best environment one could wish for. The teachers are loving and caring. The curriculum is stimulating and child centered. Most of all, I am impressed with the language the teachers use to help children problem solve, make friends, and communicate their needs. It is such a happy place to be. There is laughter and love all through the day. What a gift the ELC is! read more

We love being an ELC family! Every morning our son wakes up and asks "do i go to school today?" In just one semester we've seen our energetic, not well socialized 3 year old, really thrive. From an increased thirst for learning, to being able to recognize and spell his name as well as other's names, he's also learning to share, play cooperatively with other children, and follow rules which has translated to life outside of school quite well with play-dates and following rules at home. The teachers are truly a gift. Its evident that they cherish the uniqueness of each of their students and their families, because they go out of their way to connect/communicate frequently, making sure everyone has a great preschool experience. We feel so lucky to have found a gem like ELC and highly recommend it. read more

ELC is everything I wanted in a preschool for my 3 year old! The teachers are creative and genuinely care about each child. Each day is filled with art, music, sensory, outside time, etc. and the kids even have a few field trips! I have several friends who have enrolled their kids at ELC and they only had words of praise! I decided to take a tour and they let me sit in on one of their sessions... I was incredibly impressed. I got really good feelings from all the teachers that I interacted with. In my opinion, ELC far surpasses any other preschool that I visited in Ann Arbor. My son has been attending for a month now and he loves it! He always comes home so happy and with lots of stories to tell me! I am so happy I found this preschool! read more

My daughter started her preschool at ELC. before we moved to California and she is now in kindergarten. She still remembers going there. I have to say that the Curriculum was very engaging and the school communication through weekly e-mails kept me updated on everything. The teachers were all Top notch especially Mrs kelly was really very good. read more

We've been at ELC for 6 years, and I could not be happier. The staff, the overall curriculum, the structure of the day, and the environment are all extremely developmentally appropriate. My third child is in her last year there, and my whole family will be very sad to leave! The teachers and staff are exceptionally competent, skilled, compassionate, and creative. Both classrooms are filled with such love, warmth, and stimulation! While it is set up as a half-day program, there are also enrichments that can extend some of the days. Kids can also choose to eat lunch at school in order to prepare for doing that in elementary school. Highly highly recommend!! read more

We just started our third year (second child) at ELC and couldn't be happier. Having had children in both rooms (3-4 year and 4-5 year) at this point we know all the teachers and the rest of the staff very well and feel extremely comfortable entrusting our children to their care and guidance. Not only are the teachers all very well educated and experienced in early childhood education, but they truly care about the children as individuals. There is no better testament to this than our children's eager desire to go to school each and every day. We will be sending all four of our girls to ELC and couldn't recommend it more highly! read more

So my third of four children just started and ELC and I can't say enough wonderful things about the school. We absolutely ADORE the teachers at ELC. They are so warm and loving and have an incredible depth of knowledge and experience. They really have the total package. It is a play based program that gives the children the social skills necessary for kindergarten while at the same time fully preparing them academically to move on. And, on top of that, the program is run on a not for profit basis with a board of directors made up of parents. Its not a co-op so you don't have to attend class with your child, but it is a small community with lots of parental involvement and input. My children love going to ELC and I love that they are developing a love for learning at such an early age. Couldn't imagine going anywhere else! read more

Our family loves the Early Learning Center (ELC)! Our oldest son just graduated and our youngest will be starting there in January 2018. It is a play-based preschool with a wonderful teaching team of two teachers in each of the two classrooms (4 teachers total). The teacher/student ratios are low and the teachers really care about their students and the students' families. We have gotten close to many of the other families too over our time there. You can sign up for as little as two mornings a week (most preschools in Ann Arbor require at least three mornings) and then add more mornings and afternoon enrichments as desired. Our oldest started in the Caterpillar Room (2 1/2-3 year olds) on T, TH mornings for his first year. His second year was in the Butterfly Room (4-5 year olds) on M,W, F mornings with an extended day on Wednesday to help prepare for Kindergarten. Sign up for a tour today...you'll love it! read more