Penfield History – Penfield Children's Center

Penfield Children’s Center creates a positive start in life for infants and children, many of whom have developmental delays or disabilities, by providing early education, health services, and family programming.

Penfield Children’s Center is named in honor of Dr. Wilder Penfield (1891-1976), a world-renowned neurosurgeon who strongly advocated early intervention for children with developmental delays and disabilities. His quote, “Never underestimate the capacity of the very young, and never, never let them down,” has been the foundation of Penfield’s mission since 1967.

His knowledge and wisdom underlie our philosophy of care for infants and young children even today. Serving more than 1,500 children annually, Penfield offers high-quality, integrated services and a safe and stimulating environment for children, families, and community partners to maximize early development and learning.

Timeline

1967

The Via Marsi Montessori School Is Born

The Via Marsi Montessori School for Exceptional Children (aged 3 to 7 years with disabilities) opens its doors on 2433 W. Cherry Street, led by Dr Jon Osterkorn

1974

Penfield Children’s Center

Via Marsi Montessori School for Exceptional Children relocates to 833 North 26th Street and changes its name to Penfield Children’s Center

1974

Mario Montessori comes to the US

Mario Montessori comes to the US and visits the first school to use Montessori education with Children with Special Needs.

1975

First Birth to Three Contract

Penfield obtains the first Birth to Three contract with Milwaukee County.

1980

Penfield volunteer program is added

1980

Tom Thomczyk becomes the second CEO of Penfield Children’s Center

1984

First Annual CP/Ortho Diagnostic Clinic

The therapy program holds the first annual CP/Ortho Diagnostic Clinic for children enrolled at Penfield.

1985

The Special Care Nursery opens for medically fragile children

1988

Expansion to the Penfield campus

Expansion to the Penfield campus includes a circular drive, an eastward extension of the 26th Street entrance, an outdoor play yard/therapy area, a 40-space parking lot, an iron gate, fencing and landscaping.

1990

The first Croquet Tournament

The first Croquet Tournament, a fundraising tradition that continues today, is held at Boerner Botanical Gardens.

1992

Penfield Children’s Center is certified

Penfield Children’s Center is certified as an Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

1995

Norman Soref Children’s Clinic is added to the existing Penfield building

The 20,000 sq. ft. Norman Soref Children’s Clinic is added to the existing Penfield building, spanning our physical presence between 26th and 27th streets.

1996

Penfield initiates the Parent Mentor Program

Penfield initiates the Parent Mentor Program and the Grandparent Volunteer Program.

1996

Jim Ryan becomes the third President and CEO of PCC

1997

Renovations at PCC

The first floor is renovated and classrooms are divided with walls instead of bolsters, gross motor room is added for indoor play space, Special Care Nursery moves downstairs.

1998

Penfield is licensed as an inclusive, Early Childhood Education Child Care program.

1999

The Birth to Three program transitions to serving children in their natural environments.