Plymouth Children's Nursery Closes After 50 Years

They’re in their early-to-mid-fifties by now, but 50 years ago, the very first class of preschoolers graduated from Plymouth Children’s Nursery (PCN).

Next week, PCN's will see its last class of preschool graduates since the school announced it will be closing its doors forever May 29.

Sunaina Vargo, PCN Board President and parent at the school, said the decision to close was due to a combination of factors such as declining enrollment, the economy, and losing its lease earlier this year. 

PCN is housed in the Church House of Geneva Presbyterian Church, near Sheldon and Ford Roads. The school previously held a lease for the space for the last 26 years. Vargo said the board searched for a new location but could not find one within the school's budget that suited their purposes. 

"This was not a hastily made decision, and we are very sad to say goodbye," she said.

According to Naomi Cunningham, a parent whose three children have attended PCN on and off for the past 10 years, the church notified the school in January that they would not be able to renew its lease - a time when the school is usually enrolling for the new year.

"It breaks my heart, it really breaks my heart," Cunningham said. "And I'm a little angry at the church. I wish they hadn't done that to us. But I understand that they're a business too. But it broke my heart when we found out we couldn't go anywhere. I wish we could have come up with something because I wouldn't take my kids anywhere else and I don't think you can find another preschool like this anywhere else. That's the sad part. Mrs. (Marlene) Lloyd (a PCN teacher) is pure magic. I'm blessed to have had her for all my kids. But unfortunately, it is what it is."

Additionally, PCN faced issues of declining enrollement these last few years, just like every other school in the state. When at its peak, PCN had 105 families. That was in 2007-2008. In 2009, that number dropped to just 17. But this year, with 28 families attending, the school was starting to turn things around. 

"The economy did us in - it did everybody in," Cunningham said. "I think at its heyday, there were 150 to 200 preschools in the State of Michigan. And after the economy tanked, we're down to 30 or 40. So we're not the only ones - we survived longer than most. It hit everybody hard with people going back to work. Co-op is very hands on - the parents have to volunteer and people weren't available for that. Some people just chose not to do preschool. I had friends who just couldn't afford it."

To celebrate its 50 years in the Plymouth-Canton community and to say farewell, PCN will host a party at the school Saturday from 1-5 p.m. The community is invited to attend, especially alumni and former parents.  

The celebration will include light snacks and refreshments, family activities, games, photos and lots of reminiscing. Included in the festivities will be special acknowledgement for the dedication and services of Marlene Lloyd, who currently teaches the four-year-old preschool class and is retiring after 39 years with PCN.

In addition to the farewell celebration, PCN is seeking photos and stories from alumni and families who have been involved with the school. They will be posted on the school's website, www.plymouthnursery.org, which will be converted into a celebration of 50 years of memories after the school closes.

Anyone wishing to share a positive memory or experience about PCN is invited to post the story and/or photo to the PCN Facebook Page, or e-mail them to pcnpreschool@gmail.com.

"We're looking forward to this weekend with the celebration of the 50th anniversary and retirement party," Vargo said. "We're just going to try and go out on a very high note."