November 12, 2024 (Volume 48, Number 6)
Article by
Julianna Schrier
Rylee Richards, a GVSU student and teacher at the Children's Enrichment Center, is hugged by students at the Allendale Campus center.
GVSU’s Children’s Enrichment Center (CEC) has open spots for children who turn 4 by December 1. Director Daphnea Sutherland said children who enroll would be eligible for free preschool under Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program, PreK for All.
Sutherland encouraged the Grand Valley community to consider the CEC for child care. The center is more than day care, she said, adding it offers a combination of education and child care.
"Within the day's schedule, we also implement a preschool curriculum," Sutherland said. "The classrooms have morning circle time where they talk about what they're learning. Teachers are making lesson plans, they have parent-teacher conferences, they’re assessing where each child is developmentally and then how to support them for their learning.”
The majority of the staff at the CEC are Grand Valley students and most are earning degrees in fields relevant to early childhood education.
“The wonderful thing I always say about us, in comparison to other schools, is that we have the whole university at our disposal,” said Sutherland.
From visiting the Rec Center and the Barbara Kindschi Greenhouse to performing experiments in science labs during the summer, Sutherland said the CEC offers its young students a chance to understand higher education and the importance of education at a young age.
“We care about higher ed and we should care about early education because this is where the foundations are built,” said Sutherland. “I believe in early childhood and the importance of those beginning foundations.”
The Children’s Enrichment Center currently has several spots open in its 4-5 year old classroom. Children who enroll in that classroom are eligible for PreK for All. Contact Sutherland at [email protected] or (616) 331-5437 for more information.
This article was last edited on November 11, 2024 at 4:29 p.m.
Aviation students can complete the Bachelor of Applied Science degree program in Traverse City, or online, and have tangible professional benefits within the industry.
Featured
June 16, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 18)
Article by
Kate VanDerKolk
A Detroit News article centered on university governance and a Brookings article called the Thompson Scholars program a model solution for increasing access for students from middle-income families.
June 16, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 18)
Now working in the Division of Enrollment Development and College Futures, Ngassa discusses how his background serves as a bridge between enrollment and academic affairs.
June 16, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 18)
