History

1994

• Allen Creek Preschool incorporated as a non-profit by a group of psychoanalysts, educators and business people
• Included Early Childhood Outreach volunteer consultation to daycares and preschools under Allen Creek umbrella

1996

• Began Parent-Toddler groups in church classroom

1997

• Opened in our own purpose-built facility, made possible through innovative partnership with real estate corporation formed to support the non-profit school (FOR KIDS, LLC)
• 2 parent-toddler groups, 1 preschool class
• Half-time volunteer Parent Programs Director (child psychoanalyst)

1999

• Parent-infant group started
• 2 parent-toddler groups, 2 preschool classes

2000

• Pregnancy group added
• 3 parent-toddler groups, 2 preschool classes
• First large-scale benefit event – Jerry Hadley of the Metropolitan Opera at the historic Michigan Theater

2001

• Added kindergarten enrichment class

2002

• “Singin’ In The Rain” 50th anniversary world premiere benefit at the Michigan Theater

2003

• First Strategic Plan (2003-2008) completed

2004

• Creative Arts teacher position created
• Children and Family Community Service Award from the American Psychoanalytic Association

2005

• Capital Campaign 1 completed – purchase of our building

2006

• First “Dining for Kids” fundraising event raises $25,000 for scholarships
• Early Childhood Training Initiative (ECTI) begins, funded by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Rosebud Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan, reaching early childhood educators across Washtenaw County and southeast Michigan
• Association for Child Psychoanalysis’ 2006 Award for Excellence
• Hired Allen Creek’s first Executive Director
• Child Development Director established as paid position
• Kicked off “2006-2008 Working Together for Good Beginnings” endowment and capital campaign
• Added afternoon Transitional Toddler class

2007

• Second “Dining for Kids” fundraising event raises $30,000 for scholarships and operating expenses
• Allen Creek Preschool Fives class established
• Added afternoon preschool class
• “Working Together for Good Beginnings” endowment campaign passes halfway mark

2008

• “Working Together for Good Beginnings” endowment campaign passes $1,200,000 mark

2009

• Planning begins for building expansion involving the newly acquired property at 1515 Franklin Street adjacent to Allen Creek's present location
• Allen Creek Board of Directors takes an increasingly active role in school governance, including revising School structure to a Lead Teacher model with Child Development Director and Office Manager completing the administrative team in daily school operations
• Allen Creek Preschool staff begin to provide a drop-in parenting resource room to low-income area residents at Peace Neighborhood with grant from Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation

2010

• Imagining the Arts, an innovative afternoon arts program for elementary school-aged children, is added

2011

• Allen Creek Preschool is re-accredited by the Alliance for Psychoanalytic Schools
• Imagining the Arts II offered