Roots: A Castle Rock Tradition

Little Bears Preschool was formed in 1957 by Bess Scott and was held in her back room. Douglas County had no kindergarten at the time and she filled a need for the community. In 1965, Mildred Stewart began helping Bess and in 1967 bought Little Bears and relocated it to Christ's Church, where it remains.

At Mildred's retirement in 1985, Janice June took over and ran Little Bears until Natalie Young became the director in 1987. Natalie remains at the helm at this time.

Little Bears Preschool has always been a pre-kindergarten program and is not assoicated with any day care program. Likewise, while the preschool is located in the Episcopal Church building, the program is not associated with the Episcopal religion, but is steeped in the Judeo-Christian ethic and tradition.

Little Bears now holds a once per month church service in the Chapel. This is not an Episcopal service, but one designed by Ms. Natalie to promote peace in the classroom and quiet time to use good manners and to pray.

Little Bears is licensed by the Colorado State Department of Social Services.