Ypsilanti Cooperative Preschool, Inc. began in April 1946 when an article appeared in the “Ypsilanti Daily Press,” stating that a meeting for mothers interested in forming a nursery school would be held at Welch Hall on the Eastern Michigan University Campus. Twenty interested women met and discussed plans for a nursery. This group formed the nucleus of the nursery school and became the founders of the organization. One of the founders, who also served as the chairperson, was Mrs. Bradley Harris. The school was named the Ypsilanti Cooperative Nursery.
With no money or equipment to start the nursery, the women organized the group, wrote the first Constitution and By-Laws, and held fund-raising projects to purchase the needed equipment. A school close-out sale provided the first table and chairs. The first nursery class was held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in a Sunday school room. Mrs. Clarence Markeson was the teacher. In the fall of 1946, the nursery school moved to Gilbert House, then to the Recreation Park House, and then in 1955, back to St. Luke’s Church. Because of the strict enforcement of fire regulations, the nursery was relocated in two classrooms at St. John Baptist Education in June 1981. The availability of a space designed for preschool children prompted the nursery to move to the First Baptist Church of Ypsilanti in August 1984.
In May 1963, the Ypsilanti Cooperative Nursery was incorporated as a non-profit organization and its name was changed to Ypsilanti Children’s Nursery, Inc. In May 2000, the name was again changed to the Ypsilanti Cooperative Preschool, Inc. to better reflect the educational emphasis of the school.
In June of 2019, the preschool moved to Chapelle Business Center, formally Chapelle Elementary School, due to First Baptist Church declining to renew its lease in order to allow Meals on Wheels to expand.
Ypsilanti Cooperative Preschool, Inc. admits students of any race, sex, color, and national or ethnic origin.
