Building Strong Futures, One Child at a Time

The earliest years of a child’s life are filled with first words, first steps, and first discoveries. Beneath these milestones, critical foundations for learning, health, and emotional well-being are taking shape—foundations that can influence a child’s future for years to come. 

For more than a century, Columbus Early Learning Centers has worked to ensure children and their families have the support they need during these formative years of development. Since 1887, the organization has provided affordable, high-quality early education to infants, toddlers, and young children, helping them build the skills, curiosity, and confidence needed to thrive in school and throughout their lives.

“Early learning really is fundamental,” said Gina Ginn, PhD, CEO of Columbus Early Learning Centers. “For us, it’s about ensuring that our children have all of the skills and experiences they need to be successful in kindergarten and beyond.”

Children play at Columbus Early Learning Centers’ South Side Center.

Columbus Early Learning Centers operates six centers across the city, providing year-round, full-day care and education to more than 300 children annually, from 6 weeks to 5 years old. Through play-based learning, the organization’s professional and dedicated staff support children’s social, emotional, and physical development, preparing them to enter school ready to learn. 

“For us, it’s about ensuring that our children have all of the skills and experiences they need to be successful in kindergarten and beyond.”

Gina Ginn, PhD, CEO of Columbus Early Learning Centers

“Our staff is incredibly hardworking. They care for and love our children as if they were their own,” said Ginn, who has led Columbus Early Learning Centers since 2015. “They truly are the backbone of everything we do. They create amazing spaces for children to learn and grow.”

Gina Ginn, PhD, CEO of Columbus Early Learning Centers.

The organization’s impact is reflected in its outcomes. In 2024, 97 percent of Columbus Early Learning Centers students graduated ready for kindergarten—an early indicator of future academic achievement. According to data from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce, this is an exceptional result, as only 45 percent of Franklin County children demonstrate kindergarten readiness.

Beyond enriching early learning experiences, Columbus Early Learning Centers also supports parents through wraparound services—such as developmental screenings, food distribution, and home visits through the ParentChild+ program. This two-generation approach addresses the needs of both children and their caregivers, creating the conditions for whole families to thrive. Many of the families enrolled at Columbus Early Learning Centers are experiencing financial hardship, with 95 percent of students receiving public subsidies or tuition assistance.

“Columbus Early Learning Centers plays a vital role in central Ohio’s early learning ecosystem, helping our youngest learners have the strongest start in life,” said Dan Sharpe, Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management at The Columbus Foundation. “At a time when many families face economic challenges, Columbus Early Learning Centers is removing barriers so that children and their families can succeed—in the classroom, and in our community.”

In recognition of the organization’s commitment to enriching the lives of young learners, Columbus Early Learning Centers has been selected as the 2026 honoree of The Columbus Foundation Award. As part of the award, Columbus Early Learning Centers will receive a $100,000 unrestricted grant from the Foundation.