The year was 1972. Richard Milhouse Nixon was in the White House, the Oakland A's were on the way to their first World Series title since 1930 and the average price of gas was 36 cents per gallon.

And in a small community in Manheim Township, Lynne Shively, an elementary school teacher and a member of the Lancaster Church of the Brethren, was founding a small preschool program at the church, 1601 Sunset Ave., Lancaster.

A lot has changed with the world since, as well as with the Lancaster Brethren Preschool. But because the early education program always stayed true to its mission, it has helped nurture important developmental years of hundreds of Manheim Township residents.

The Lancaster Brethren Preschool recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. There was food and fellowship and reminiscing as current teachers, former teachers, former students and their families marked the milestone occasion.

"She was a teacher, and it became a passion project for her," said Lancaster Brethren Preschool director Jessica Steinman of Shively. "She wanted to offer the community a preschool for the children in surrounding neighborhoods. It was hard to get the word out, and there were very few children at first. But the word has spread."

"If you stop and think how many children's lives that have been affected over the years, it's amazing," she added. "We have parents go through the school and say they went here and that they want their children to go here."

Not a religious program, the Lancaster Brethren Preschool is designed to provide a head start on learning for 2- through 5-year-olds. Currently, 68 little residents attend the preschool, and enrollment for the next academic year is maxed out again, with 15 prospective students on a waiting list.

The Lancaster Brethren Prechool curriculum, which is based on learning through play, is taught by a staff of 15 certified teachers and assistants.

"It (the preschool) has a very neighborhood feeling," said Steinman. "The biggest part of our mission is that we believe kids learn best through play. We're part of a learning collective in Manheim Township, and kindergarten teachers tell us what they really want children to come to kindergarten with. We want children to love school. We want to make it fun and interesting to them."

Over the last half-century, society has seen a shift in the emphasis on early education. The Lancaster Brethren Preschool has continued to evolve to meet that need.

"Over the years, we've extended the days and hours kids can come," said Steinman. "We've added different kinds of classes. We have expanded our class offerings. When Manheim Township (School District) went to full-day kindergarten, we made full-day preschool an option, from two-and-a-half hours to five."

"I really feel like kiddos who go to preschool, even day care, are better prepared for elementary school," concluded Steinman. "Since you and I have gone to kindergarten, things have changed. The demands of kindergarten have changed, and I think parents have recognized that."

For additional information on Lancaster Brethren Preschool, go to http://www.lancob.org/preschool.