Traverse City Unveils Joseph C. Fisher Early Childhood and Family Center

For families in Grand Traverse County, getting a childcare spot for an infant or toddler has come to feel like a lottery nobody wins on the first try. Michigan State University's licensed child care deserts data shows more than three children competing for every available slot in the county, a ratio that has sent parents onto waitlists before some even know they are pregnant.

That count dropped by eight Tuesday when Traverse City cut the ribbon on the Joseph C. Fisher Early Childhood and Family Center, a renovated former Pine Rest building where Robin Hornkohl of the Great Start Collaborative and Yvonne Donohoe McCool of Northwest Education Services led a sneak peek ahead of the afternoon ceremony.

The center's on-site childcare classroom is designed to serve up to eight infants and toddlers at a time, and organizers say the goal is to provide more childcare for families while giving students an opportunity to learn about early childhood development. It is the first dedicated childcare space Northwest Education Services has offered within its own facility.

McCool said the center's value extends well beyond any single program. "The Fisher Center is really unique in our ability to meet families where they are and so it's an opportunity that we've never had here in Traverse City," she said. She called the opening a dream come true.

A transformation of the former Pine Rest facility, the building features an accessibility-friendly playground, large conference rooms for group gatherings, an evaluation room and an indoor play area. The layout supports both drop-in visits and scheduled services, allowing families to reach developmental screenings, early intervention referrals and community connections in one location.

Hornkohl said the design reflects what research shows about how young children learn. "We know that learning and development occur through play, and so having space that's indoor accessible and outdoor accessible that's designed for children is an incredible opportunity for families and young children," she said.

McCool cited the developmental research that drove more than a decade of planning behind the project: "90% of the kids' brains are developed before kindergarten entry and so as much as we can do to sort of hardwire some of that early learning in a good, appropriate, loving way, the better it'll be for kids and families."

The center is named in honor of Joseph Fisher, a longtime Northwest Education Services board member and president whose advocacy spearheaded the project. In addition to direct childcare and evaluation services, the site is expected to provide hands-on training for students and staff pursuing careers in early childhood development.

To inquire about enrollment, available services or eligibility, contact Northwest Education Services Early Childhood at 231.922.7878 or email HelpMeGrow@NorthwestEd.org. The Fisher Center is located at 1101 Red Drive in Traverse City.