Our History
Milford's First Library and home to the Milford Nursery School
1949
The Milford Cooperative Preschool was founded in the basement of Milford’s first library, located at the corner of Commerce St. and Main in downtown Milford.
After personally funding the library, Dorothy Eis, a frugal and generous woman who also had a desire for efficiency, realized the basement of the new library was not being utilized. as an active participant in the Milford community she visited with a few local parents, Delores Lovejoy, Ann McCall Bisenken and Margaret Baker, who together founded the Milford nursery school.
The original nursery school roster consisted of whoever could fit into Mrs. Eis’s station wagon, however, word spread quickly and enrollment grew.
Dorothy Eis (1897-1976) Founder
“‘Ole Pete’ (Dorothy Eis) along with Granddaddy (Walter Eis) both loved the Milford, Highland, Harvey Lake area and ‘Ole Pete’ was very proud of her work to help children via Milford Cooperative Preschool, Milford Library and the Highland Congregational Church.”
– Dorothy Eis’s Granddaughter about celebrating 70 years in the Milford Community
1951
The school moved to Milford Presbyterian church. Then, (year unknown) to the Methodist church on main street.
The school moved to the new Methodist church on Atlantic Street where it stayed for over 20 years. While at this location, the school became the first licensed nursery school in the Oakland county area.
As the area grew, so did enrollment and the demands on teachers in the classrooms. Mrs. Gardner became the new director and the first paid teacher at Milford nursery school. around this time, the school became known as Milford nursery school group ii and the program became an official cooperative nursery school, run by a parent board of directors.
1963
1980s
The Milford nursery school is incorporated as a non-profit organization and became members of the greater Detroit cooperative nursery council (which we are still members of today).
Our school in 1996, before it's facelift to become the Little Red Schoolhouse!
1996
MCP successfully navigates relocation studies, planning commission meetings, special permit applications, and variance agreements to become the second cooperative in the state to own a building! After more than 20 years at the Methodist church, a small, dedicated group of parents accomplished this by securing grants from the Kimberly Clark Foundation and the Lula C. Wilson trust fund and assistance from the GDCND, MCP had it’s permanent home at 525 Hickory Street in downtown Milford!
MCP today!
Today
Now called the Milford Cooperative Preschool, we have been lucky to have hundreds of families walk these halls and call this their home away from home!
Today’s preschool is run by an enthusiastic group of teachers and parents who are dedicated to providing an active, hands-on, and participatory approach to learning. Teaching children learn how to learn, building self confidence and independence.
Come and see us!
Contact us to schedule a tour of our Little Red Schoolhouse!