The school was founded in 1980 as Northwoods Presbyterian Mother's Day Out / Children's Day in. 

 

The four day program cared for children ages 3 months through 4 years from 9:30 to 2:30pm, September 1 - May 31. 

 

By 1986 the school had expanded to a five day program which cared for children from six weeks through Pre-K 6:30am - 6:30pm, year round and became Northwoods Early Learning Center Preschool.