About Iliff Preschool & Kindergarten

Our Mission & Story: Helping Families Soar to New Heights

History

Iliff Preschool, Kindergarten & School-Age Summer Camp has been a mainstay of southeast Denver for over six decades. Founded by Harriet and Garwood Andresen in 1963, the first class commenced with an enrollment of 6 children. The school expanded over time, adding facilities like a commercial kitchen, more classrooms and even incorporating a DC-7 airplane fuselage as a unique classroom in 1971.

For the first 15 years, the Andresen seniors managed Iliff Play School. Chas and Helen Andresen took over from the founders, focusing on providing a rich early learning environment, and restructuring the business as Iliff Preschool, Kindergarten, and School-Age Summer Camp. They expanded the offerings to include programs for toddlers and a summer camp for children up to 12 years. The school is known for its creative play areas, including a boat on a sandy beach, a mining camp-themed tunnel yard, and various imaginative play spaces.

Iliff Preschool has a rich history of over 60 years of providing innovative and nurturing educational experiences for children in southeast Denver. Now catering to multiple generations of families, Iliff values its long-standing community ties. Helen Andresen, with over 55 years in education, significantly contributed to early childhood education, both in practical and policy-making capacities. Chas Andresen, an engineer, used his skills to enhance the school’s learning environments, creating engaging and educational play areas for children, both indoors and out.

Vision

Our Mission

Excellence in Early Childhood Education since 1963. Iliff Preschool, Kindergarten & School-Age Summer Camp was founded with the belief that an early learning environment should be rooted in play and enrichment, as well as guided instruction. Bringing the indoor classroom environment outdoors, and the outdoors into the classroom, children get a one-of-a-kind education through self-discovery, social-emotional development, and a teacher-facilitated, play-based curriculum.

Why Choose Us?

Our Staff

The children feel safe and happy and each receives individualized attention from nurturing staff members who show them respect and talk with them in meaningful ways.

Our Environment

The environment is clean, safe, and orderly, and contains an abundance of stimulating toys and equipment both indoors and outdoors. The staff members are given the opportunity for ongoing training and educational support by attending workshops, college classes, and conferences. The parents feel respected and are encouraged to participate in the program by sharing their knowledge, working together, and serving as advisory resources.

Our Curriculum

The curriculum is based on Developmentally Appropriate Practices which allows the children to learn by being actively involved and takes into account the child’s ethnic diversity.

Our Staff

The children feel safe and happy and each receives individualized attention from nurturing staff members who show them respect and talk with them in meaningful ways.

Our Curriculum

The curriculum is based on Developmentally Appropriate Practices which allows the children to learn by being actively involved and takes into account the child’s ethnic diversity.

Our Environment

The environment is clean, safe, and orderly, and contains an abundance of stimulating toys and equipment both indoors and outdoors. The staff members are given the opportunity for ongoing training and educational support by attending workshops, college classes, and conferences. The parents feel respected and are encouraged to participate in the program by sharing their knowledge, working together, and serving as advisory resources.

Charlie 21: The Airplane Classroom

If you’ve driven south down Ash Street past Iliff Preschool, you’ve probably seen it: Charlie 21 is our one-of-a-kind kindergarten classroom. 

Purchased in 1954 by United Airlines, Charlie, originally identified as “C-0921,” flew numerous overseas flights before being sold to Dooley Aircraft Company. Though eventually decommissioned and repurposed for parts, she retained a special quality.

Extensive research, particularly by aviation historian Paul Filmer, uncovered Charlie’s rich history. She had transported notable figures like Ronald Reagan and sports teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and The Oakland Raiders. This investigation filled in many gaps about her past.

In a dramatic overnight operation in 1971, Charlie was transported to Iliff Play School. Her journey through Denver’s streets, with wings and tail removed, attracted attention and surprise from onlookers. Neighbour Frank Herrman experienced a startling awakening when Charlie was hoisted over his house during the move. This unusual event became a memorable story in the community. Charlie’s arrival at Iliff Play School generated significant media attention, receiving nationwide coverage and inadvertently providing free advertising for the school.

Converted into a classroom, Charlie was adapted to accommodate temperature fluctuations and safety requirements. Featuring a stage, heating, plumbing, and original cockpit elements, she transformed into a creative learning space for kindergarteners. Now, Charlie hosts up to 15 kindergarten students daily, fostering creativity and imagination. Each year, she ‘graduates’ students in a unique ceremony, symbolizing her continued ‘flights’ through the imaginations of children.

Our Staff

At Iliff Preschool, our commitment to quality education is exemplified by our exceptional team of educators and staff members. As a privately owned learning center, we pride ourselves on assembling a team of professionally trained and dedicated individuals, each bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our classrooms.
Our staff boasts an impressive average of over 25 years of experience in early childhood education. This deep well of experience allows our educators to create a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can explore, learn, and grow. Their dedication is evident in the care and attention they give to each child, ensuring a foundation for lifelong learning and success.

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