About Us
Our Philosophy
Brunswick Kindergarten is committed to providing a stimulating learning program for three to five year-olds in a diverse environment that reflects the individual interests and uniqueness of each child.
We believe that the indoor/outdoor play–based program we provide empowers each child to learn and grow as competent and capable individuals who can be instrumental in their own decision-making processes. This incorporates the following understandings:
All children are individuals who learn and express themselves through a variety of experiences
Learning outcomes will be unique and creative rather than standard and homogenous
All children learn best through experiences that are child initiated, adult supported, open-ended, flexible, spontaneous and fun. These experiences must allow them to take their time, explore, revisit and consolidate their learning
All children learn best in an environment which provides opportunities and experiences for them to explore and participate in experiences based on their own interests so that not all learning is structured or formal
All children are naturally curious and by encouraging them to ask questions, their learning becomes more relevant and authentic. Children are thus engaged in learning which is personalized and focused on their understanding of the world
All children benefit from risk-taking behavior that allows them to test, push and redefine their own boundaries as they gain confidence in their own abilities
Social and emotional development is the foundation for a positive approach to all learning. Children who have a high self-esteem and belief in their own abilities will have the tools with which to advance their own skills and learning
We encourage you to play an active role in your child’s education and their kindergarten year. We encourage you to drop in at any time and to give us information about your child’s interests and what they are curious about. We also encourage you to talk with us at any time about any concerns about your child’s development and progress.
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.
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.