| October 1940: |
The Harding PTA establishes a Mothers Club to sponsor a nursery school. The WPA agrees to pay for a staff of 3 leaders and a maintenance man. |
| October 15, 1940: |
The El Cerrito Pre-School Cooperative, one of the first in California, opens in space provided by the Community Methodist Church. Enrollment is 24. Registration is $1.50 plus $1.50 per month for juice. |
| September 1942: |
El Cerrito is designated a Defense Area and the Center is set up as a Certified Defense Project. Children are given air-raid drills and an emergency food supply is on hand. |
| October 1942: |
For the first time since the school was organized, fathers are invited to a social event. |
| September 1943: |
Mothers now participate and must take a 6 week course in nursery school procedures before working at the school. |
| January 1945: |
Parents meet with an architect to discuss plans for a school building. After residents object to 2 other proposed sites, the City of El Cerrito leases the site at Moeser and Ashbury to the school in December 1945. |
| February 1, 1947 |
A dedication ceremony is held and work starts on construction of the school. (Now the kitchen and art areas). The Mother’s Club raises the $4500 needed through fairs, rummage sales, and other fund raisers. The construction is done by members working with Angelo Sposeto of Albany Cement Co. |
| May 1948: |
Plans are made for an addition, known as the “Blue Room” (now the music room). The addition is built primarily by the members, working with local contractor Ned Clyde. |
| September 1951: |
The Blue Room opens. |
| September 1978: |
Program changes from separate A.M. and P.M. pre-school programs to A.M. pre-school and P.M. extended day care. The school remains open from 7:30 A.M. to 6:00 P. M. to accommodate working parents. |
| 1980 – 1983: |
The school is threatened with destruction to make way for senior housing. |
| 1982: |
Fearing loss of the Moeser Lane site, the Day Care Program is moved to Mira Vista School. Pre-school Program stays, hoping the school can continue. |
| 1983: |
Parents and neighbors working together are successful in saving the school. |
| 1983: |
Both programs are reunited at the original site. The pre-school buildings are reinforced to make them earthquake safe. |
| 1990: |
There is a celebration of the 50th year with a reunion party and an updated scrapbook. |
| 2004: |
Beginning of the backyard conversion into a “Wildlife Habitat Garden” |
| 2005: |
There is a 65th Anniversary Celebration and our first ECPC Silent Auction. |
| 2005-2006: |
Additional Grants assisted in creating the “living roof garden” in the front yard. |
| September 2007: |
After many years of careful planning, the backyard play structure is finally a reality. |
