Founded in 1890, St. Michael’s was originally a part of St. Michael's Episcopal Mission near Front and Adams Street on Wilmington’s west side.  In its early years, the facility provided daycare for children whose parents worked in the Wilmington tanneries.  St. Michael’s offered a safe, nurturing environment for children who would otherwise be left unattended to take care of themselves during the day.  In the past, St. Michael’s also operated a hospital and offered shelter to homeless and abandoned children.  The Episcopal archives contain stories about children who were left on doorsteps that were cared for at St. Michael’s until the nursery, which then doubled as an adoption agency, could find permanent homes for them. Full-day kindergarten was added to the school and nursery in 1908. Today, over 115 years after it's founding, St. Michael’s remains a non-profit education facility and a related agency of the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware.  The school is an independent entity governed by a Board of Directors. During its long history of service, St. Michael’s has helped meet the needs of children and parents.  Over the past century, St. Michael’s has evolved from being primarily a childcare agency, to a premier school for early childhood education.  Although much has changed during the school’s long history of service to Wilmington and the surrounding community, providing high quality childcare and a sound education for young children of working parents remains the school’s core mission. Key Moments in Recent History: Summer 1996  Summer at St. Michael’s pilot summer camp program launched. 25 children were served, thanks to a grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. April 1996 Rennovation completed to the original 7th St. buildling (now almost 40 years old). September 1998  St. Michael’s changes its name from St. Michael’s Day Nursery to St. Michael's School and Nursery, Inc. 2001  St. Michael’s receives Governor’s Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education. June 2003 Construction begins on St. Michael's expansion project. 2004   Helen C. Riley, Executive Director, is honored with the Jessie Ball duPont Fund Leadership Award, given to an individual chosen for “vision, courage, integrity, creativity, perseverance and compassion, whose life work focuses on promoting justice, equality and compassion in their communities.” Fall 2005 Ribbon cutting to officially open newly-expanded school campus.