14
Preschool Matters Term one 2014
Though much has
changed, some things
stay the same…
Isabel Henderson Kindergarten (IHK)
celebrated its 100 year anniversary last
year with a community party and the
launch of a publication created by
passionate parents, staff, volunteers
and interested historians.
100 years Isabel Henderson Kindergarten –
being, belonging, becoming commemorates
the Kindergarten’s colourful history which
has its roots in the Free Kindergarten
Union of Victoria, Melbourne’s early
kindergarten movement and philanthropic
welfare initiative that focused on rescuing
children from poverty, early last century.
The Kindergartens namesake, Isabel
Henderson, was a pioneer in the education
of girls and believed in the importance of
early childhood education, especially for
under privileged children.
Her views remain true today and are now
backed by evidential research.
Although Isabel Henderson was never
involved in the kindergarten directly she
was an influential member of the Free
Kindergarten Union of Victoria which
was established in 1908 by a group of
middle-class educated women, including
Mrs Pattie Deakin, the wife of Prime
Minister Alfred Deakin.
“The union had both educational and
philanthropic aims: it believed the role
of kindergartens was not just to educate
preschool-aged children but to instigate
social reform. Its practical role was to
oversee the training of kindergarten
teachers, based on Froebel’s principles,
and provide support for kindergartens’
programs, as well as assist them a
little financially.”1
IHK started as the Fitzroy Mission Free
Kindergarten in 1913 in a church hall
and was administered by a committee of
women from churches in the wealthier
suburbs of south-eastern Melbourne.
The Kindergarten committee would often
provide clothing, food and other essential
items to the impoverished families of
Fitzroy who used the service.
During those times the Kindergarten
director/teacher would conduct afternoon
home visits to establish local families’
needs as well as organise ‘guilds’ which
were after-school groups for school aged
children. The director also held monthly
mothers meetings to give advice about
diet, health and hygiene. Like many
kindergartens during the early part
of the 20th century, the major focus
was children’s health, diet and
general well-being.
“The 1930 annual report from the Free
Kindergarten Union of Victoria notes that
a doctor who examined all the children
attending Melbourne kindergartens
estimated that one-third of them were
suffering from malnutrition.”2
The Kindergarten continued to offer
education and support to their community
through the Great Depression and the
World Wars, and by 1949 had changed its
name and had moved to better premises.
Through fund raising and government grants,
the committee secured land at its current
location and engaged architects to design
a purpose-use building for the kindergarten,
which opened its doors in 1982.
IHK has had many incarnations over the
years, taught generations of young
children and supported hundreds of
families. It has been managed by countless
volunteers and employed many teachers.
It has always been a place for children
to play, learn and thrive.
Preschool Matters Term one 2014
15
“Over the years, IHK has developed an environment that
ensures we are connected to children, families and community.
Our ability to support our community’s needs is an important
strength for a kindergarten that comes from a parent run,
volunteer based management structure”, Nicole Messer,
Director, Isabel Henderson Kindergarten.
Our philosophy, and its connection
to our children, families and community,
has shaped our kindergarten, writes
Nicole Messer
At Isabel Henderson Kindergarten it is
important that a child feels connected
to their social and ecological community
through early years programs, as it is an
important contributor to a child’s sense
of being, belonging and becoming. With
a passion for community and for natural
environments we provide child-led
programs that are facilitated intentionally,
yet continue to find adaptable approaches
that encourage children to exercise
independent choice in play, based
on their needs and backgrounds.
Link: For more information or to obtain
a copy of the book contact IHK at
www.ihk.org.au
1P 14 100 Years Isabel Henderson
Kindergarten – being, belonging,
becoming Caroline Leitch &
Annabel Barker (2013)
2p 29 100 Years Isabel Henderson
Kindergarten – being, belonging,
becoming Caroline Leitch &
Annabel Barker (2013)
3pp 148 & 149 100 Years Isabel
Henderson Kindergarten – being,
belonging, becoming Caroline Leitch
& Annabel Barker (2013)
Photographs by Marcel Aucar.
Over the years, IHK has developed
an environment that ensures we are
connected to children, families and
community. Our ability to support our
community’s needs is an important
strength for a kindergarten that comes
from a parent run, volunteer based
management structure, established in the
1970s. The essence of parent involvement
at all levels of our kindergarten ensures
our practices continue to evolve as our
families’ needs evolve. An example of this
was the implementation of our long day
kindergarten program in 1990. This
decision focused the kindergarten for
several years on implementing strong
long day kindergarten programs supported
by one of the earliest team based
approaches established within a stand
alone kindergarten.
Since our inception IHK has displayed
visionary qualities in the early years
profession and we continue to pave the
way in providing quality kindergarten
programs within a community owned
service. Our vision continues as IHK
establishes itself as a quality education
facility for 3 to 5 year olds.
At IHK we maintain our long tradition
of being advocates for children, providing
learning through innovative team based
education, in programs taught by trained
professionals, working within a centre
managed by a parent-led committee. We
have a service that will always be owned
by the community, which is increasingly
becoming a rare jewel, something worth
investing time and passion in for future
generations. From these foundations we
will continue to increase collaboration
with other community services that
support families, ensuring our programs
smooth the transition process between
home, child care, kindergarten and school
– this is a key priority for our service.
Increasing integration and access to our
kindergarten for all families drives our
thinking at all levels as we work towards
the common goal of instilling a love of
learning and fostering a curiosity and
creativity that stays with children for life.3
Nicole is the current Director of Isabel
Henderson Kindergarten.