Our History

For more than half a century, Early Childhood Alliance has provided programs and services to meet the early childhood education needs of children, first in Fort Wayne/Allen County, and today across northern Indiana.

1941

Westside Neighborhood Center formed in Fort Wayne.
United Way of Allen County Logo

1953

Incorporated and joined the Fort Wayne Community Chest (United Way of Allen County)

1957

Opened first child care center, located in public housing development for low income families.

1963

Became Neighbors, Inc., to reflect broader services for older adults and families with young children.

1969

Changed focus to child care

1971

Renamed Child Care of Allen County, with four child care centers receiving government funds for low income families to attend.
CACFP Logo

1979

Became sponsor for Federal Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

1988

Contracted with state social service (Title XX) to sponsor family day care.
Parents as Teachers Logo

Throughout

Added Parents as Teachers and expanded training opportunities for professionals.

1992

Became State Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Agency for six counties.

1997

Became Early Childhood Alliance to reflect wider range of services.

1998

Learning Centers achieved accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

2000

Built Downtown Learning Center after $2 million capital campaign.

2000

Paths to QUALITY, a quality rating and improvement system for early education programs, created by a local partnership including ECA, was launched in Allen County.

2003

Introduced Book Buddies early literacy program.

2005

ECA began growing childcare professionals by offering Child Development Associates (CDA) Credential training.

2008

Paths to QUALITYTM was adopted by the State of Indiana.

2010

Partnered with Parkview Health to manage Beacon Learning Center.

2012

Four counties added for a total of 10 counties across northern Indiana.

2014-15

Allen County is one of five Indiana counties chosen for a state-supported, pilot pre-k program, On My Way Pre-K; both of ECA’s Learning Centers participate, enrolling eligible 4-year-olds

2015

A bright new logo and website to match launch

2018

ECA Learning Centers become a site partner for the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, providing access to free health care for children in need

2019

New Learning Center support positions are created to enhance family and teacher support: Director of Early Learning Services, Manager of Birth to Three Services, and Family Advocate.

2020

Through a partnership with Launchpad and Community Partners in Kosciusko County, ECA created a pop-up Learning Program for essential healthcare workers during the COVID pandemic.

2021

Shared Service Network is launched to support providers throughout the region in establishing and maintaining a sustainable business model.

2023

ECA refocuses to four main branches of service: Learning Programs, Shared Services, CDA, and CACFP (Food Program) 

2023

IMD Early Learning Center opens in Warsaw, a 12-seat home program opened in partnership with Instrumental Machine & Development.