About Us
Our Philosophy
At Brunswick Kindergarten, we recognise the importance of a child's early years and are committed to providing an environment that is warm, welcoming, nurturing and inspiring.
We strive to ensure that every child, family and educator experiences a genuine sense of belonging within our community, where respectful relationships, inclusion and wellbeing are at the heart of all we do.
We believe childhood is a unique and precious time for children to delight in the present moment, to play, to wonder, to explore and to experience life's everyday magic.
We value the importance of being; allowing children the time and freedom to investigate, create, imagine and develop a deep connection with themselves, others and the natural world.
Through the many experiences, relationships and opportunities of the early years, children develop a strong sense of identity and confidence in who they are becoming; as they grow, they become active participants in their learning and in the wider community, building the foundations for lifelong learning, resilience, empathy and responsible citizenship.
We believe every child is capable, competent and full of potential. Children arrive with their own ideas, knowledge, culture, strengths and perspectives, and deserve opportunities to express themselves, make choices and contribute meaningfully to their learning.
Play is the foundation of everything we do.
Through play, children investigate, solve problems, build relationships, develop resilience and make sense of the world around them.
We create rich learning experiences that are responsive to children's interests, strengths and emerging ideas, recognising that every child learns and develops in their own unique way.
Our educators work in genuine partnership with children, families and one another to create programs that are inclusive, flexible and meaningful.
Through observation, reflection and collaboration, we support each child's physical, social, emotional, cognitive, creative and language development while nurturing confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.
We believe in showing respect and care for ourselves, for one another and for the world around us. Sustainability, community, equity and inclusion are woven throughout our everyday practice. We recognise the environment as the third teacher, creating beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces that invite exploration, creativity, risk-taking and connection with nature.
We proudly acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia. We honour the enduring connection of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People to Country and are committed to embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives throughout our curriculum, fostering understanding, respect and reconciliation.
Our philosophy is guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF), the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF V2.0), the National Quality Framework, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Early Childhood Australia's Code of Ethics. Together these frameworks support our commitment to providing high-quality education where every child feels they belong, can simply be, and is empowered to become the best version of themselves.
Our History
Brunswick Kindergarten was first opened on 1 June 1924. There were only eighteen children enrolled. The Kindergarten was established and run solely by the parents and friends of Brunswick for the children of Brunswick.
During the depression days of the 1930s many children were undernourished and at risk from diseases such as scarlet fever, diphtheria and polio. The Kindergarten helped to feed the children and to supply their clothing. Throughout these years the community of the Kindergarten banded together to help everyone. A large tree in the children’s outdoor environment has stood there since its planting in 1931 and is a symbol of the resilient and community spirit of this era.
In the 1940s the Kindergarten continued to work with the children of Brunswick as a contribution to the war effort. In 1943 the Kindergarten joined with the Brunswick Crèche and the Albert Street State School to form the Brunswick Children’s Centre for Child Care in Wartime. The service provided a full-day program that included a two-course meal for the children, helping more than sixty mothers who were working in industry while their husbands were at war. During these times the mothers cooked, sewed and made general repairs. Fathers made the furniture, chopped wood, painted and maintained the gardens. Many local sporting clubs made donations. The Brunswick community as a whole saw the Kindergarten as vitally important for their children’s education and well-being, so assisted where ever possible.
Today Brunswick Kindergarten is still solely owned by the parent community and is run by the staff and a parental committee.
Management
Brunswick Kindergarten operates as a parent-run cooperative. You can read our constitution here.
This means that families enrolling their children are choosing to be part of a community that values parent involvement, shared responsibility, and strong relationships.
The Kindergarten is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Kindergarten Director, who is responsible for overseeing enrolments, staffing, the implementation of educational programs and policies, and ensuring compliance with all relevant government regulations and quality standards.
Oversight of the Kindergarten is provided by an elected parent management committee. This committee supports the Director and plays a key role in governance and strategic direction. The structure, responsibilities, and operations of the committee are guided by the Kindergarten’s constitution and the Cooperatives Act, which form the basis of the cooperative model we follow.
The committee is made up of up to nine parent representatives elected from families currently enrolled at the Kindergarten. The Director reports to the committee and attends its monthly meetings, ensuring alignment between the educational leadership and the cooperative governance.
By enrolling at Brunswick Kindergarten, families become members of this cooperative model and contribute to a shared vision for quality early childhood education grounded in collaboration and community.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
Brunswick Kindergarten is proud to announce that our first Reconciliation Action Plan has been developed published and endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.