Maddington Community Kindergarten

Statement of Significance

Maddington Community Kindergarten demonstrates significant community involvement and commitment to provide educational facilities for four and five year old children. It was the first kindergarten to feature a small road system with crosswalks and traffic lights to teach road sense.

Physical Description

The single storey building is a brick construction with an expansive hipped tile roof. building features extensive glass areas and is surrounded by wide covered ways.

History

In March 1968 Gosnells Shire Council called a ratepayer's meeting to discuss the need for a kindergarten in Maddington due to the influx of English migrants to the area. A working committee was formed and found that there were at least twenty children who would use the facility immediately. The Kindergarten Association of WA advised on the design and layout and Council provided a block of land in Helm Street. A building to accommodate thirty six children in morning and afternoon sessions was built in 1970. A feature was a small road system with crosswalks and traffic lights to teach road sense, expected to be the first of its kind in WA. In 1973, the Kindergarten Association was superseded by the State Government's Pre-School Board, and kindergartens became pre-schools. In 1977, the Board was abolished and all pre-school education was placed under the Early Childhood Branch of the Education Department. Existing kindergartens were given the choice of becoming pre-primaries under the local headmaster, or remaining as they were under a Community Kindergartens Association. The Association consisted of parents who desired to play a greater part in the running of their children's education. The Helm Street Kindergarten/Pre-School became Maddington Community Kindergarten. The Maddington Community Kindergarten is run by the parents and the local community and works with four to five year olds, including special needs children. In January 2006, members of the local Community Leadership Network (CLN) and local businesses joined forces to give the place a facelift. The dozen or so volunteers armed with paint and plants donated by Bunnings, Crystal Coatings and SERCUL, painted fences, planted garden beds and raked sandpits. A new carpet was laid, funded by the local branch of the Bendigo Bank and Maddington Rotary Club, and one of the Rotary members donated fabric for new curtains. An Open Day was held on 11 May to showcase the makeover.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High degree Authenticty: High degree

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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