DETROIT - September 3, 2026 - Early Foundations Child Development Center is an award-winning early childhood program based in Detroit, Michigan. Its relationship-centered, Montessori-inspired and nature-based approach combines early learning with social-emotional development, outdoor exploration, environmental stewardship, gardening, practical-life experiences and meaningful connections between children, educators, families and their community.
Early Foundations was intentionally designed to be more than a traditional child care setting. The program focuses on building strong relationships with children and families while creating an environment where children feel safe, supported and confident enough to explore, learn and grow. Everything within the program is purposeful, from the way the classrooms are arranged to the hands-on experiences children are offered, with an emphasis on independence, meaningful learning and supporting the whole child.
Environmental stewardship is also intentionally woven into the program's everyday learning experiences. Children are given opportunities to garden, observe wildlife, learn about pollinators, explore the outdoors and understand the importance of caring for living things. Early Foundations has created an environment where nature is not treated as an occasional activity, but as an extension of the classroom and an important part of how children develop curiosity, responsibility and respect for the world around them.
That commitment is reflected in the program's certified wildlife habitat, bee- and pollinator-friendly garden, gardening experiences and participation in Michigan's Farm to Early Care and Education efforts. These experiences allow children to learn about stewardship firsthand while developing an early connection to nature.
"Families trust us with their children during some of the most important years of their development, and that is something we take very seriously," said Maritza Mejia-Cooper, Founder and Director of Early Foundations Child Development Center. "Building strong relationships with children and families is at the heart of what we do. We want every child to feel known, supported and cared for."
That relationship-centered approach has earned strong support from families and the surrounding community. Early Foundations maintains a 5.0-star overall rating across 42 Google reviews, reflecting the trust families have placed in the program and their experiences with its individualized approach to care and early learning.
Early Foundations' work has also earned recognition in the community and was recently recognized by the Consumer Ratings Institute, which named the center the recipient of the Daycare of the Year award for Detroit, Michigan.
"For us, the recognition is meaningful because it reflects the experience we work hard to create every day," Mejia-Cooper said. "We want families to know their children are in a place where they are genuinely cared for, encouraged to be themselves and given opportunities to grow."
Early Foundations Child Development Center continues to reimagine early childhood education in the Detroit area and State of Michigan.
About Early Foundations Child Development Center:
Early Foundations Child Development Center is an award-winning early childhood program in Detroit, Michigan, dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing and intentional environment where children can learn, grow and thrive.
Media Contact
Company Name: Early Foundations Child Development Center
Contact Person: Maritza Mejia-Cooper
Email: Send Email
Phone: (947) 201-4533
Address:17505 Ohio St.
City: Detroit
State: MI
Country: United States
Website: http://earlyfoundationscdc.com/