Columbus Early Learning Centers

10/01/2026

How cute are these onesies that our friends at Victoria's Secret custom decorated for children in our care?!?! 👶🖌️🧑‍🍼💟

Together with personal care items which they also generously provided, these adorable little outfits will be distributed to area families we serve. They send a BIG message- that our community cares about each and every one of these families!

We are so appreciative of our amazing community partners.

09/30/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to the OneOhio Recovery Foundation for investing $175,000 over two years in Columbus Early Learning Centers’ Early Learning Mental Health Programming and Supports.

This funding will help us provide young children and their families with meaningful health supports and therapies, strengthen early learning environments, and help children build the skills they need to feel safe, connected, and ready to learn.

Together, we’re supporting children and families today while building stronger, healthier communities for the future. 💙💚

09/18/2026

A glimpse of our history, captured on this day in 1952. ❤️

In this photograph, volunteers from Ohio Bell (today known as AT&T Ohio) are seen helping at one of our centers, giving their time and care to the children and families we serve.

More than 70 years later, volunteers are still an important part of who we are. They show up to lend a hand, support our teachers, engage with our children, and help our centers thrive.

The clothes have changed. The buildings have changed. So much around us has changed.

But across nearly 140 years, one thing has remained remarkably constant: people are always willing to generously give their time to help children and families in their community.



❤️

09/17/2026

💙 For generations, Columbus Early Learning Centers has been part of the lives of children, families, educators, volunteers, and community members across Columbus. Whether you attended one of our centers, enrolled your child, worked alongside us, volunteered your time, or supported our mission in another way, you are part of the CELC story.

As we look back on our history and ahead to the future, we want to hear from you!

📖 What does CELC mean to you?
💭 Do you have a favorite memory?
❤️ How has CELC impacted your family, your career, or your community?

We'd love for you to share your story with us. Your memories help us celebrate the people who have made CELC what it is today and the generations who will shape what comes next.

https://forms.gle/LedkLuqh4VsiS5La8

And please share this post with someone who has a CELC story of their own!

¿Prefieres compartir tu historia en español? Haz clic aquí para completar el formulario en español. For nearly 140 years, Columbus Early Learning Centers has been part of the lives of children, families, educators, and neighbors across Columbus. As we look toward the next 140 years, we want to h...

09/15/2026

We’re still reeling from the magnitude of community support we’ve experienced in the past several weeks. ❤️

So, we’re sharing this one again because this recognition from The Columbus Foundation deserves another moment in the spotlight!

We are incredibly honored to receive this award, and even more grateful for the community behind it. Every donor, volunteer, family, educator, partner, and advocate who believes in the importance of early learning has a hand in making our work possible.

Thank you for celebrating with us and for continuing to show up for the children and families we serve. We’re so proud to be part of this community! 🥰🏆

At the annual Celebration of Philanthropy events, The Columbus Foundation recognized the 2026 honorees of The Harrison M. Sayre Award, Huntington National Bank, and The Columbus Foundation Award, Columbus Early Learning Centers, and announced a record $477.4 million in grants.

09/15/2026

This , we’re celebrating the rich cultures, languages, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities, while especially recognizing the many educators and early childhood professionals who help our youngest learners grow, learn, and thrive.

At Columbus Early Learning Centers, we know that children benefit when their classrooms reflect the diverse families and communities they call home. Culture, language, family, and identity are all important parts of creating a place where children feel seen, valued, and celebrated.

We’re proud to recognize the Hispanic and Latino educators, families, and community members who strengthen early childhood education every day.

¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana! We’re grateful for the many voices, stories, and traditions that make our CELC community stronger. ❤️

09/08/2026

We are truly encouraged, humbled and excited to have been given such an honor!

In 2025, generosity reached a new milestone in our community: The Columbus Foundation awarded a record $477.4 million in grants, supporting more than 5,200 nonprofit organizations in central Ohio and beyond.

Behind these numbers are thousands of donors investing in the causes they care about and nonprofits working every day to support individuals, families, and communities.

Today, at our annual Celebration of Philanthropy, we also recognized two longstanding Columbus institutions: Huntington National Bank, the 2026 Harrison M. Sayre Award honoree, and Columbus Early Learning Centers, the 2026 Columbus Foundation Award honoree.

Huntington has called Columbus home for 160 years, with a long history of philanthropy and service in our region. Columbus Early Learning Centers has served local children and families since 1887, helping young learners get a strong start in life.

Read more about this year’s record grantmaking and the philanthropy award honorees: https://cbusfdn.org/4dqo2j4

09/07/2026

🧡 Happy Labor Day!🧡

Today, we’re closed, and celebrating the incredible teachers, caregivers, cooks, administrators, and support staff who show up every day to help children learn, grow, laugh, explore, and feel loved.

In early childhood, the work may look like finger painting, story time, snack breaks, and wiping tiny noses, but it’s also building confidence, nurturing curiosity, and laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning. ✨

Happy Labor Day from all of us at Columbus Early Learning Centers! 🌟

09/04/2026

✂️📚 💛

Our friends at Columbus Academy are putting their creativity to work! This awesome group of high school juniors crafted adorable, interactive felt pieces to accompany children’s stories in our classrooms—turning reading time into an opportunity to explore, imagine, and play.🧸✨ They also made our center shine with a deep clean and a little reorganization.

We love seeing older students use their talents to make learning a little more magical for our littlest learners. Thank you for helping us bring these stories to life! 📖💫

09/03/2026

Navigating social media with a child of any age can feel daunting. 📱

From understanding different platforms to knowing when your child may be ready, there are a lot of questions for parents and caregivers to consider. The right decision can look different for every child and family, but having reliable information can help you make an informed choice.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has put together these Social Media Pointers for Parents with information to help families navigate social media, privacy, safety, age requirements, and more.

Swipe through to learn more and save these tips for future reference. ❤️