More than half a century ago Presbyterian Preschool began as the dream of two women with a common interest in educating children.

Betty Sohngen and Dorothy Barker founded the preschool at Presbyterian Church, 19 S. Front St., in 1957, and it is now one of the oldest in Butler County.

“They were interested in educating children,” said the school’s current director Linda Bonham. “They were here for a couple of years, but it was Edna Stieg and Inez Shepherd that really established the preschool in the community.”

Stieg and Shepherd were involved on several education boards in the community, according to Bonham, who has been with the preschool as an assistant, a staff member and director for 32 years.

“They understood the importance of preschool and the benefits it would bring for the children,” she said.

The preschool was established as a church-sponsored, community service, nonprofit mission. After 55 years, its mission has remained constant.

Children who attend preschool are exposed to letters, numbers and shapes, but they also learn how to socialize and share with others, as well as they begin to learn how to respect others and problem solve, according to Bonham.

“It gives them confidence and they learn they are capable of doing things for themselves,” she said.

At one time, the preschool had more than 200 children in the program. With the growth of other preschools and the dependence some families have on daycare centers, the preschool now averages about 50 children in the program and has eight staff members.

Julie Meece, who has been on staff for 10 years, said she enjoys every day working with the children.

“It’s fun to see them develop and write their name,” said Meece, who came to the program after her three children attended.

“Children look at things so differently than adults,” she said. “They don’t see the bad things in life, and that is a great environment to be around. I feel lucky to be here with them.”

The preschool offers two-, three- or five-day programs that include three hours of classroom time.

The school is a part of Start Ready, an initiative among several private preschools, the Hamilton Community Foundation and the Head Start program.

“Research shows that kids who enter kindergarten without preschool don’t do as well,” Bonham said. “Our goal is to get as many of those children into a preschool program. We hope to have it going by next fall.”