Neighborhood Early Learning Center (NELC), located in a separate building adjacent to Little Earth, creates neighborhood access to several important early childhood programs managed by non-profit tenants, including the Rueben Lindh Family Center and its fee-based pre-school education program. The NELC serves both Little Earth families and families from around the Phillips neighborhood. Little Earth is responsible for the Neighborhood Early Learning Center's building maintenance and operations, and provides 1.5 FTE support staff for the Center. Earned income from the Center tenants supports building operations.

The Neighborhood Early Learning Center is governed by a board consisting of four residents and five at-large early childhood professionals. The Little Earth Partnership is responsible for all of the Early Learning Center's building operations and maintenance. Non-profit tenants raise funds independently for their program activities at the Center.