Wacousta Cooperative Preschool Expands Into Former Grand Ledge Elementary, Growing Child Care Access in the Region
Expansion adds 33 new child care slots, thanks to a partnership with Grand Ledge Public Schools, Eaton RESA’s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), and the Capital Area Child Care Coalition.
Eagle, Mich. (Aug 13, 2026) – Wacousta Cooperative Preschool (WCP) has expanded into the former Grand Ledge Elementary School building — now known as Wacousta Commons — growing from 3 classrooms to 4 and increasing its licensed capacity from 39 to 72 children, a 33-slot increase in child care access for the region. The expansion also adds before/after care for 25 elementary-aged students at Wacousta Elementary, with whom WCP shares a campus, and has already created 5 new jobs. Demand is strong: WCP has received 72 applications and confirmed 63 enrollments for the fall, with more applications still coming in.
The Lansing region faces a 4:1 child to slot ratio. Every new slot created at a quality provider like Wacousta Cooperative Preschool is a direct investment in the region’s economic future—for families, employers, and communities alike.
Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) views child care as core economic infrastructure rather than a peripheral issue — which is why it co-leads the Capital Area Child Care Coalition (CACCC) alongside Capital Area Michigan Works! and the United Way of South Central Michigan. When child care works, more parents and caregivers can work, strengthening the talent pipeline that helps the Lansing region attract business and investment. The Wacousta expansion alone has already created 5 new jobs, with more hiring planned as new programs grow.
Owned by Grand Ledge Public Schools (GLPS), WCP’s move into the building reflects a model that is uncommon in the region: multiple community organizations sharing space inside a public school district-owned facility to jointly serve local families. Rather than operating in isolation, these organizations are co-locating to expand what any one of them could offer alone. It’s exactly the kind of creative, cross-sector collaboration the CACCC was formed to encourage.
“This expansion is proof of what happens when a community shows up for its children, the way it did back in 1972, and the way it does today,” said Rachael Therrian, executive director & school administrator at Wacousta Cooperative Preschool. “For 52 years, our families have built this cooperative together, one classroom and one volunteer hour at a time. But growth like this doesn’t happen in isolation. Being part of the Capital Area Child Care Coalition connected us to partners like LEAP and GLPS, whose support helped make this expansion possible. We’re proud to now offer a toddler room and before/after care for the first time, and we’re excited to welcome even more families into the same high-quality, community-rooted care that has defined Wacousta for generations.”
The preschool’s mission—to create a nurturing, play-based learning community that embodies the warmth of home, empowering children to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically—hasn’t changed in more than 50 years. What has changed is the region’s need. Child care deserts across Clinton, Ingham, and Eaton counties leave thousands of families without reliable, affordable options, creating ripple effects across the workforce and regional economy.
“The Lansing region must meet the needs of its work force and, in part, this means creating a more affordable, accessible quality childcare system throughout the three counties,” said Bob Trezise, Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) president and CEO. “This work strengthens our competitiveness in the global market and is often, now, an issue asked of us by companies we are both trying to retain and attract—and we have better answers than other competitors because of this work together.”
Rachael Therrian has been a long-time member of CACCC, helping to shape the coalition’s direction from the very beginning. The preschool’s expansion reflects exactly the kind of outcome the coalition was created to support: a trusted, community-rooted provider growing its capacity with the backing of public and private partners.
With more than 70 member organizations, CACCC is working to address the systemic gaps that make child care inaccessible for too many families.
Grand Ledge Public Schools superintendent, Bill Barnes said, “At Grand Ledge Public Schools, we believe that partnerships with families, the community, and education stakeholders are vital to our success, and we are excited that Wacousta Commons will be the home for the Wacousta Cooperative Preschool. We are pleased to help ensure that high-quality early childhood education is accessible to all families in Comet Country, regardless of geography or income. Wacousta Cooperative Preschool provides our youngest learners with the support and access they need to reach their highest potential, and we are thrilled that we are able to build on the strong partnership we have established with the preschool within the Wacousta community!”
“This expansion matters to Clinton County on every level, for the families who now have a trusted place to send their children, and for the local businesses that depend on a stable workforce. Wacousta Cooperative Preschool has been a fixture in this community for over 50 years, and we’re proud to see it grow to meet the moment,” said Brian Hurtekant, Commissioner Clinton County District 4.
“Wacousta Cooperative Preschool has been a cornerstone of early childhood learning in our community for generations. We’re proud to see this program grow and continue shaping the bright futures of Wacousta’s youngest learners,” said John Maahs, Watertown Township Supervisor.
“Every child deserves a strong start, and that begins with access to high-quality early learning opportunities in their own community,” said Emily Laidlaw, deputy director for the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) overseeing the Office of Early Education. “Wacousta Cooperative Preschool’s expansion demonstrates what’s possible when local partners come together with a shared commitment to children and families. Through partnerships with initiatives like PreK for All, Michigan continues to invest in community-driven solutions that expand access to early learning, support working families, and help ensure more children enter kindergarten ready to learn, ready to read, and ready to thrive.”
About Wacousta Cooperative Preschool
Wacousta Cooperative Preschool has served families in the greater Wacousta area since 1972. A leader in the cooperative preschool model, WCP is committed to creating a nurturing, inquiry-based learning community that embodies the warmth of home, empowering children to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. The new facility at 9135 W Herbison Rd, Eagle, MI serves children 18 months to 5 years old. Enrollment for fall open is now, visit https://www.wacoustacooppreschool.org/ or call (517) 626-2746.
About the Capital Area Child Care Coalition (CACCC)
The Capital Area Child Care Coalition (CACCC) is a regional coalition co-led by the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), with Capital Area Michigan Works! (CAMW!) and United Way of South Central Michigan. Serving Ingham, Clinton, and Eaton counties, CACCC supports families, providers, employers, and policymakers to expand access to high quality child care across the region. With more than 70 member organizations, the coalition functions as Region 7’s Regional Child Care Coalition, funded by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC).
