LCC THEN AND NOW

Our Mission:

Nurturing and empowering young children and families.

Our Vision:

A caring community where all children belong and are inspired to become engaged learners and compassionate citizens through meaningful family partnerships, a play-based curriculum and an experienced early childhood education staff.

Since 1976, the Leelanau Children’s Center has been providing early childhood education and connection to the children, parents, and families of Leelanau County. We’re proud to consistently receive the highest quality rating from the MI Department of Education for our special programming which melds the benefits of a child-led, play-based curriculum, our highly experienced staff and the importance of building meaningful family partnerships. Creating inclusive community and positive relationships is the foundation of everything we do!

History

LCC was founded when community member Elizabeth “Dee” Glass learned that parents with young children had nowhere to gather and play.

Glass began a playgroup in the basement of the Leland Community Methodist Church. In 1976 LCC was incorporated under the name Leland Daycare and Nursery School.

The playgroup grew into a morning preschool, then into a full day preschool, and then into a full day preschool with a before and after program. At this point, the program stretched the capacity of the Leland Community United Methodist Church. In 1988, a facility designed to house 20 children and 9 staff members was constructed on the church property in Leland. Funds for the building were raised locally, with a challenge grant from Miss Sally Reahard.

In the new facility, LCC grew into an accredited early childhood education and family support program providing center-based care and provided a home for the Benzie Leelanau Health Department's Parenting Communities outreach program.

In all periods of growth, LCC is guided by the following cycle:

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Listen to the community,
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Determine whether LCC can do a great job in responding to this community,

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Research the best practices models,
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Do what is right for children and families,

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DO IT!
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Evaluate what we are doing and begin the cycle anew.

Leelanau Children’s Center is a non-profit agency devoted to the welfare of young children and their families and has been recognized for excellence at the regional, state, and national level.

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Licensed by the State of Michigan
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Among the top 3% of MI preschools rated as “Demonstrating the Highest Level of Quality” by Michigan’s Great Start to Quality program.

LCC Programming focuses on Preschool-aged children

To serve more children before they enter kindergarten, the Leelanau Children’s Center (LCC) provides preschool programming for children from 30 months old to kindergarten. Read more about the decision to focus on preschool programming below.

Learn more