GH Dhu Varren

Gretchen's House Dhu Varren

1580 Dhu Varren
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
734.821.2800

Open: 7:15a.m.-5:45 p.m.

Programs: Full day care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; morning preschool; full and half-day young fives; before and after care for schoolage children from King and Northside Elementary Schools; summer camp for schoolage children.

History: Gretchen’s House-Dhu Varren opened October 1, 2003. This site provided Gretchen and her team of designers an opportunity to vary the themes used in the Oak Valley center. While keeping the home-like, cozy feeling with several “pods” of classrooms (each centered around their own living space and kitchen), use of different building materials and interior design, along with a central gathering place, give this center its own identity. New “wet room” play spaces in most classrooms will allow for indoor, messy play year-round. This center is located adjacent to several newer neighborhoods and across the street from City of Ann Arbor parkland.

Meet Our Director: Dhu Varren Director Laura Griswold has been a part of the Gretchen’s House team for almost twenty years, starting in 1992 as an I/T teacher at GH Mt. Pleasant. Laura served as the director of GH-Mt. Vernon for six years and as the director at GH-Traver for four years before opening the Dhu Varren center in October, 2003. Laura earned a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Development from Eastern Michigan University. She is a certified High/Scope trainer and also serves on the Washtenaw Community College Child Care Advisory Committee. Laura has two sons in elementary school who are GH graduates. In her spare time, Laura enjoys reading, scrap booking, and spending time with her family. Interested in a tour? E-mail us!