Iliff Preschool, Kindergarten, and School-Age Summer Camp has been a mainstay of southeast Denver for over five decades. Serving University Park, University Hills, Washington Park, and the Colorado Boulevard business corridor, the “nursery school” was founded by Harriet and Garwood Andresen in 1963.  They named the first building at the corner of Iliff and Ash, Iliff Play School, and in 1963, the first class commenced with an enrollment of 6 children.

The first classroom was the living ­kitchen-dining room combination of the home that the Andresens had purchased. A commercial kitchen was added where the original patio once stood. Demand for even more space resulted in the purchase of another house next door that was converted to more rooms. Finally, a hall was built connecting the two buildings. It was about this time that the search began for a Piper Cub fuselage for the front playground and… a replacement for the real car, which was by far the most popular item at the center. Ports of Call Travel Club offered a DC7 fuselage and the 108-foot craft was purchased immediately, this time with the idea that it could be used as a classroom rather than a toy. Many months of tail and wing disassembly by Garwood and his son Chas (both engineers) were needed to allow for street clearance. On the night of September 23, 1971, the airplane was lifted by crane over the fence at Stapleton to a waiting convoy of police cars and curiosity seekers   It traveled, in tow, followed by Helen and Chas’s Bronco, down Martin Luther King Boulevard. Finally, one year after construction on the interior, the DC7 sent her first class of graduates down her ramp to receive their “flight wings” and embark on a new adventure.

For its first 15 years, the Andresen seniors, managed Iliff Play School.  Upon their retirement, Chas and his wife, Helen, purchased the land and business and founded The Children’s Resource Co., DBA Iliff Preschool, Inc.  Chas and Helen, also believed that an early learning environment should be rich in experience, rich in play, and rich in teaching. In addition to the 2 ½ – 5 year old programs, they added toddler nurseries and a very popular summer adventure day camp for children post kindergarten through 14 years of age.  Chas, with his engineering background, began many years of improvements to the classrooms and the addition of new play yards to the already creative play yards. A real boat on a sandy beach, complete with marina, provides an experience where children can invent dramatic play in a spaceship, a race car, or an earth mover. Another of the play yards was added and features the tunnel yard, sometimes referred to as the Mining Camp. (Chas’s mother was born in Leadville, CO.) “I love watching the children crawl through the tunnels in the tunnel yard! It’s a perfect blend of gross motor activity coupled with imaginative play. On one side of the tunnel hill there is a bridge for fishing and a climbing wall to scamper up to get away from the hungry alligators. Another side has graduated balance beams for future gymnasts to perfect their skills. We even have a jailhouse to detain errant cowboys.”

Iliff is now serving its third generation of families and soon to be fourth.  Grandmothers, grandfathers, and mothers and fathers whose grandchildren and children are now enrolled, also spent hours at Iliff enjoying the magic moments Harriet and Garwood (Chas’s parents) Helen and Chas, and the staff created over 50 years ago (4 of the staff have been with Iliff over 40 years!)

“Iliff treasures childhood and the identity of its children, families, staff and friends. We are so proud to have been part of this community for over 50 years!”

Helen has devoted over 50 years to the education of Colorado’s children. After teaching secondary science in Adams County she took ownership of Iliff Play School…and founded Iliff Preschool, Kindergarten, and School-Age Summer Camp. She is an advocate for Early Childhood Education as well as an educational trainer and business consultant. Her center is celebrating over 55 years of service to the SE Denver community. Helen’s interests center on advocating for professional development in Early Childhood Education. As past NECPA Commissioner for the State of Colorado, she promoted high quality programs by serving as a verifier and trainer for an independent accreditation program. As a Child Care Professional Field Counselor, she mentored educators who were seeking National training and credentialing. Her board experience includes Vice President of Professional Development, Past President, and Board Emeritus of the Early Childhood Association of Colorado. Her efforts at the State level have included work on the Child Care Licensing Review Task Force, the Governor’s Early Childhood Professional Standards Task Force, and the Office of Child Care Service Advisory Committee. She has presented management and marketing seminars at conferences and workshops, advocating for Early Childhood Education in legislation, and publishing articles in trade magazines and on the web. Her hobbies include traveling, scuba diving, and skiing.

Chas is a graduate from the Engineering School at the University of Colorado in Boulder. His experience as an engineer with Ball corporation in Boulder, has enabled him to create a magical world at Iliff. Deeply aware of children’s joyful spirits and their connection to the natural world, he has brought opportunities for creative play and learning through eight expertly designed play yards and the conversion of a DC7 airplane into a kindergarten classroom. His hobbies include biking, triathlons, designing toys, and maintaining happy faces on the children (Mr. Fix-IT!).