BY MADISON VOORHIES PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY 2024-25 COVER KID HANNAH R. What is an Early Learning Center?
36 FEBRUARY2025 | BRPARENTS.COM to be filled with discovery, exploration, and wonder,” explains Brooke Rosser, a Director at Country Day School of Baton Rouge. Research shows that 90% of a child’s brain develops by age five, according to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, making these formative years a prime opportunity to lay the groundwork for future learning and achievement. I n the past, childcare often meant dropping off your little one at the neighbor’s house or a local daycare where the primary focus was keeping them safe and entertained. Fast forward 50 years, and the concept of childcare has transformed dramatically. Enter the era of Early Learning Centers (ELCs), where the focus has shifted from simple supervision to fostering young minds through education and development—sometimes starting as early as infancy. “Childhood is a brief, yet fundamental, stage in a child’s development that deserves
So, what exactly sets an Early Learning Center apart from the daycare of yesteryear? How do these modern marvels of early education contribute to a child’s growth? And how can parents confirm the levels of safety and professionalism when choosing a center? DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS An Early Learning Center is an educational facility dedicated to nurturing the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical
development of young children, typically from infancy through preschool age. These centers provide structured environments where children engage in age-appropriate activities designed to promote school readiness and holistic growth. Key characteristics of ELCs include: ■ Educational Focus: Unlike traditional daycare centers, ELCs focus on providing an educational curriculum designed for young learners. This approach supports the development of foundational skills like
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software