EC3: A Legacy of Care, A Future in Progress

Since 1985, the Educational Child Care Center (EC3) has been a cornerstone of early childhood education in Lansing. Born from a visionary collaboration between the Michigan Department of Education, the Lansing School District, and local early childhood leaders, EC3 was designed to serve as a model for high-quality, inclusive childcare—particularly for children at risk of entering school unprepared.

Initially housed in the Michigan School for the Blind, EC3 expanded its impact quickly, becoming a training site for aspiring educators from MSU and LCC, and offering scholarships for low-income families through state and federal funding. In 1998, EC3 moved into its current home at the historic Main Street School building, which it purchased in 2006. Since then, our dedicated staff and families have worked tirelessly to transform the facility into a warm, inspiring space for children to learn, grow, and thrive.

Today, EC3 serves over 100 families from diverse backgrounds and continues to set the standard for quality early learning in mid-Michigan. But after decades of love and use, our building is showing its age—and we need your help.

With your support, we can renovate and modernize our space to ensure EC3 remains a safe, accessible, and enriching environment for generations to come.

Help us preserve this legacy—and build the future.

40 Years Strong: Building for Tomorrow

40 Years Strong: Building for Tomorrow