Early Childhood Education Center

The ECEC is a unit of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS). We are a high quality early childhood program. Our early childhood program applies a Reggio Emilia inspired constructivism theory of learning to early childhood education. Our curriculum focus is nurturing children's critical thinking skills and problem solving skills.

The ECEC is a State of Michigan approved and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited early learning center for young children. NAEYC's voluntary accreditation system has set standards for early childhood education programs and helped interested parties identify high-quality educational programs for young children. ECEC has accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children effective through 2021.

In addition, the ECEC is also a 4-star rated Great Start to Quality school and a recipient of the 2018 Early Learning Award.

We also serve as a model teacher preparation and child study facility for university students enrolled in a variety of UM-Dearborn education courses.

2020-2021 New Family School Year Enrollment Application

Thank you for your interest in the UM-Dearborn Early Childhood Education Center (ECE). Enrollment is now in progress for continuing and new families. Classes will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

New Families: Please click on the Enrollment button below to complete and submit your application.

Current Families: Please use the link provided in your enrollment email.

After your application has been processed (5-7 days) and placement has been confirmed, you will receive a Contract Agreement and other required enrollment paperwork that must be signed and returned to the ECEC Office along with the $230.00 enrollment fee. Spaces are not confirmed until contract, payment, and enrollment paperwork are received.

If a space is not available for your child you will be notified by email that your family has been placed on our wait list and we will let you know if a space becomes available later in the year.

Please contact the ECEC front desk with any questions at umd-ececoffice@umich.edu or 313-593-5424.

Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)

Currently enrolling! Fill out the pre-screen form below to start the process!

GSRP Enrollment Information and Forms

The ECEC plans to offer the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) for the 2020-2021 school year. The GSRP Program is a state-funded, preschool program for qualifying 4-year-olds.

Please review and complete the GSRP Pre-Screen form below. After this is completed someone from the ECEC office will reach out to you with the next steps for enrollment.

Required documents:

Documentation of Income

Parent Identification

Copy of Birth Certificate or Alternative Proof of Birth

Proof of Immunizations/Shot Record

Health Appraisal (complete and signed by doctor)

Please note that incomplete applications will NOT be accepted, and the GSRP intake interview will need to be rescheduled once all documentation is gathered.

Once the 2020-2021 Grant is approved through the Governor of Michigan, this usually occurs at the end of June, the application enrollment will begin based on GSRP regulations.