North Central Michigan College marked the opening of its new Early Learning Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on its Petoskey campus on August 19. The celebration included remarks from college leaders, guided tours of the state-of-the-art facility, and an invitation for the community to see firsthand how the center will address Northern Michigan’s childcare needs.
The ceremony was attended by community members, representatives from area chambers of commerce, local partners, and state Sen. John Damoose, who offered congratulatory remarks.
See Photos From The Ribbon-Cutting Celebration
The Early Learning Center is part of NCMC’s Child Care Initiative, launched in 2022 to address the shortage of high-quality, affordable childcare in Emmet County. Designed to serve up to 12 infants, toddlers, and young preschoolers, the Reggio Emilia–inspired center fosters holistic development through play, exploration, and nature-based learning.
President David Roland Finley said the opening of the Early Learning Center reflects the college’s commitment to serving families and strengthening the region.
"North Central exists to serve our neighbors, our employers, and our region, and right now, one of the most urgent needs in Northern Michigan is for more high-quality childcare options. By opening the Early Learning Center, we are helping address that need, supporting families, and making it just a little easier for parents to succeed," Finley said.
The Early Learning Center also serves as a pilot of a true-cost fiscal model designed to promote sustainability in childcare. As part of this model, NCMC has introduced a living wage salary scale, reflecting the college’s commitment to valuing and supporting childcare professionals for their vital contributions.
"We believe this center can serve as a demonstration site for what’s possible when a community chooses to invest in its children and its caregivers," said Jennifer Wixson, NCMC’s Early Childhood Education program coordinator. "We hope it inspires others to join us in building a system where every family has access to the highest quality care, and every educator is supported with dignity, compensation, and professional respect."
Following the brief remarks and ribbon-cutting, attendees toured the new learning spaces and outdoor nature-inspired playground. The event celebrated not only the facility itself but also the broader vision of creating a sustainable, high-quality childcare system for Northern Michigan.
"Our work doesn’t stop with this ribbon-cutting," Wixson added. "Today is an invitation: We are calling on our community — business leaders, funders, policymakers, and families — to help us reimagine childcare as the public good it truly is."
The NCMC Early Learning Center is expected to reach full enrollment — 12 children — by October. Families seeking care are encouraged to join the waitlist. For more information, visit the NCMC Early Learning Center webpage.