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Long before preschool was common place in Wheeling, Sandra Milliken was teaching 4- and 5-year olds the fine art of sharing, what you can do with Play Dough and counting with building blocks.

Now after 33 years among the little folk, Milliken is closing the doors at the Warwood Nursery School and tucking away the memories she has of the more than 700 children who graced her classroom. On Saturday, a reception was held at the school to formally say goodbye to the classroom, the teachers and the many students and families she met along the way.

"How many people can spend their lives playing with blocks and Play-Doh and love every minute?" Milliken asked as she recalled so many children and teaching experiences since she opened the nursery school in 1976. It was the only such preschool in the Warwood neighborhood at the time. The school was located at Warwood United Methodist Church.

She credits her success to the "wonderful support" of the community and some great teachers with whom she has worked. They include Eleanor White who stayed with Warwood Nursery School the first three years. Then there are Bonnie Albert who spent 10 years with the school and Jennifer Duymich who taught for 20 years with Milliken.

"Eleanor and I had small children and we thought what better way to work and keep an eye on them than to start a nursery school program," Milliken said. "In 1976, the idea of preschools was not as prevalent as today. Now with Ohio County Schools offering universal preschool, I thought it was time to retire. After all, it's not so easy crawling around on the floor at 67."

Her school developed such a positive reputation that when she opened the registration each year, it was filled within 90 minutes.

"I know it's hard to believe with so many kids coming here over the years, but every child has touched my heart in some way. I found that children at 4 and 5 are very caring and kind. I witnessed that a lot on field trips. We often were complimented on the behavior of the children," she said.

Milliken believes the preschool experience makes for a much easier transition when children enter kindergarten. While preschool emphasizes fine motor skills and social skills, Milliken said children at that age "learn real fast."

Within the past 10 years, Milliken added sign language to the school's curriculum which the children picked up very quickly.

In the 1980s, the school began a class for 3-year-olds.

Milliken managed to guide the young minds of hundreds of other parents' children while raising two daughters, Amy now, 41, and Beth, 37.

Now with grandchildren, Milliken plans to enjoy retirement, but still wants to "give back" to the community in some way.

"I couldn't have done this without the help of others. We had an anonymous donor pay half our insurance and the Junior Women's Club has been so generous to us. The church and everyone we have dealt with has been wonderful," Milliken added.