Eastside Educational Center

"A high-quality center that's affordable too..."

(Pictured above: Founder & Owners, Tracy and Frank Lockenour, and their children)

We opened Eastside Educational Center, Inc. in May of 2002.  We had four children under the age of 5 years and found it very difficult to find quality childcare that met our family's needs. The cost of quality care for a family struggling to make ends meet can make it nearly impossible for both parents to work. We tried to stagger our shifts to minimize the cost of childcare. Because most childcare centers would not allow us to schedule part-time hours, we had no choice but to work opposite shifts with very little or no family time.

We thought other parents might be in the same boat, and wanted a center with alternative types of childcare options --a high quality center that was affordable too. 

After extensive amounts of community research and visiting daycare after daycare, we realized that Mackinaw could benefit from a center that made family the center of its focus. One that would give parents the ability to schedule their hours of care around their work schedules.

We believe, as many of you do, that the best care a child can get, comes from their parents. We can only strive to be second best --to YOU. We made it our mission to develop a premier childcare center that everyone can afford.  One that allows you to schedule as much or as little childcare as you need.  And so began our journey. A journey that has given us the opportunity to share in the lives of over 400 different families in Mackinaw. 

We believe that every child we care for is a true blessing.  We hope soon, your family will join ours.

                                  ~Tracy and Frank Lockenour