Who are we?
The GREDC is a unique non-profit school for very young children, from infants through pre-Kindergarten.  The program has existed for over 20 years in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Our facility is located at 515 Jefferson SE, right next to the Heritage Hill neighborhood in downtown Grand Rapids.  We currently have about 70 children enrolled.  Our teachers are highly qualified early childhood instructors, not just "sitters".  We also are a lab school for education students from Aquinas College who want to learn about our unique approach.
Why are we different?
We are not just a daycare center; we are much more than that.  We believe that young children must be immersed in a creative learning environment from birth in order to realize their full potential.  We utilize a unique approach to early learning called the Reggio Emilia approach.  (See link above to learn more).  We are proud to be NAEYC-accredited (under our previous name)! http://www.rightchoiceforkids.org/ 
We are also a partner with a nearby elementary school that uses the same philosophy, the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center. (Learn more)
Why choose us?
If you need daytime care for your children, but are looking for much more than a sitter, we are the place for you.  We believe in experiential learning through guided play and activities.  We also deliberately foster development of social skills, helping children learn how to work together.  We strive to coach children to solve problems themselves.  These are examples of skills that will support your child's development throughout their lifetime.

The Mission of the Early Discovery Center is to continuously expand the potential of children, the experiences of educators and the involvement of parents within the diverse community of Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

The Vision is to base all decisions on the principles of Reggio Emilia, incorporating current research on learning as well as developmentally appropriate practice.

The GREDC was previously the Aquinas College Child Development Center.  The program is now managed by an independent secular non-profit organization.  We do maintain a healthy partnership with Aquinas to support the learning of students about the unique Reggio approach.  Also, while we currently share a facility with New Vintage Bible Church, we are not affiliated in any other way with this organization.