On Friday, 31 October, KU Wentworthville Preschool celebrated 50 years of delivering high quality education and care in the community.
The event brought together over 250 families, staff and children from the service, both past and present.
Amongst attendees were KU Children’s Services CEO, Christine Legg; Maria Morris, Manager, Teacher Accreditation (previous KU Wentworthville Preschool Education Quality Manager); Belle Lewis, KU Wentworthville Education Quality Manager and Catherine Lloyd, KU Wentworthville Preschool Director. With special guests and their families, including children, now adults, who previously attended the service, some more than 20 years ago.
The proceedings opening with a Welcome to Country and songs from Elder, Aunty Stacy.
Ten previous attendees of KU Wentworthville were invited to reflect on their favourite memories from their days attending the preschool with Director, Catherine Lloyd, and talk about what they are doing today. The interviews were followed by a speech from Catherine, who has been the Director at KU Wentworthville for the past 26 years to the present day.
“This special birthday has been about the children, their voices and agency that have been central to the planning, preparation and decision making through a project learning approach … This has been an amazing project with huge momentum which has inspired the children and educators,” said Catherine.
KU Children’s Services CEO, Christine Legg spoke next, commending the service for its special connection with the community and Catherine’s long-serving contribution as a team leader.
Guests enjoyed a historic display showcasing milestones at the service over the past fifty years as well as cake and refreshments.
In 1968, local families began fundraising activities for a preschool service. In 1970, KU (then Kindergarten Union of NSW) operated a mobile unit at the Community Centre in Darcy Road, Wentworthville, before the preschool would reopen with an official building in 1975 through the support of the Commonwealth Government, Parramatta Council and KU. Today, KU Wentworthville continues to operate as a warm, welcoming preschool, offering a beautiful outdoor area with lots of space for children to run and explore.
Pictured left to right: Maria Morris, Manager, Teacher Accreditation (previous KU Wentworthville Preschool Education Quality Manager); Chris Legg, KU Children’s Services CEO; Belle Lewis, KU Wentworthville Education Quality Manager; Catherine Lloyd, KU Wentworthville Preschool Director; KU Wentworthville Preschool team; Braden, Jonathan, Georgia and Gianluca, previous attendees of KU Wentworthville preschool.
