KU celebrates 125 years
Deep dive into KU's history and learn how early childhood education has changed and evolved.
1895
The foundation years
The Kindergarten Union of New South Wales “was born into an unsympathetic world” in July 1895. At this time, education for very young children in Australia is virtually non-existent.
1911
King and country
The social reform aspect of Free Kindergartens is expected to extend well beyond the individual children, into their homes and the community at large. Every Free Kindergarten and playground is considered “a centre for social work in the homes surround..
1912
Supervised playgrounds
For many years the Kindergarten Union described itself as “administering Kindergartens, Nursery Schools and Playgrounds”. Providing older children with a safe environment for outdoor play fell within the Union’s remit “to make Children’s Playgrounds …
1915
Curriculum and philosophy
1930
The Kindergarten Training College
From its inception the Kindergarten Union “cherished the idea of training teachers”. As the Woolloomooloo Free Kindergarten opens (1896) the staff train three afternoons a week in a makeshift classroom above the kindergarten. The Union tries, mostly …
1935
Playways
The Playways Toyshop was instigated by Florence Sulman in 1935, as a response to the difficulties kindergartens faced in obtaining appropriate equipment and toys.Initially known as the ced information leaflets for parents on making and selecting suit…
1938
A national platform
By 1911, Kindergarten Unions have been established in every state with each providing poor children access to Free Kindergartens. Although individuals from the various Kindergarten Unions travel…
1940-1949
Adaption and innovation
The major achievement for the Kindergarten Union at the turn of the 1940s is the opening of the Lady Gowrie Child Centre in Erskineville. This ‘Model Child Development Centre’ is managed by the Kindergarten Union and becomes its 17th preschool in NSW.
1950-1959
Expansion in the post-war era
The Kindergarten Union begins the 1950s still feeling some of the effects of war. Shortages of gas and power create difficulties, especially when it comes to the provision of hot meals: “In some cases meals have been cooked with the help of an open f…
1960-1969
Politics and preschools
The 1970s poses a serious challenge to the values espoused by many in the Kindergarten Union. The Women’s Liberation Movement gains momentum and many women (and their male supporters) agitate for long day care, rather than preschools, to support moth…
1970-1979
Advocacy, restructuring and diversification
As Commonwealth funding largely focuses on the expansion of work-related child care, the Kindergarten Union is at the forefront of advocating for funding for preschools, and the maintenance of high licensing and staffing standards in long day care.
1991
Competition, corporations and a new name
In 1991, the Board resolves to change the name of the Kindergarten Union. According to the Union’s President.
“The word “Kindergarten” was thought to be inappropriate as we provide a range of children’s services including preschools, long day care centres..
2000
The new millenium
The birth of a new millennium sees KU continue to be a dynamic and progressive organisation.
Mission statements and vision statements are revised at times to reflect changing areas of focus and social values, however are always based upon a…
KU today and tomorrow
Today, KU continues to lead the way in early education through nearly 140 early childhood services and programs including preschool, long day care, occasional care, vacation care, mobile preschools, work-based child care, the Adult Migrant English Program…
