The History of Tumut Community Preschool
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Tumut Community Preschool was founded in 1960 after a public meeting was called to discuss the need to establish a kindergarten. A unanimous vote provided a clear and definite confirmation that a preschool was needed in Tumut. At that meeting a committee was elected and the Preschool was formed. The committee engaged a trained teacher with early childhood qualifications and secured premises in the Sunday school building at the Anglican Church, behind the Parish Hall.
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The opening date was set for 1st November 1960. Enrolments started to come in and by the 9th of November 1960, 16 children were enrolled. On the 21st November 1960 the preschool opened with 21 children attending for mornings only with a trained teacher and a mother helper. Due to the building not being suitable for the winter months, the preschool closed over winter during 1961 and 1962. The Preschool moved to the Guide Hall in late 1962 which posed the opposite challenge and the opening of a new school year in 1963 was delayed due to extreme heat.
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In 1965 the present site of the preschool (a smaller building on the existing land) was acquired from the Seventh Day Adventist Church for approximately $2500.In the early 1990’s the building was deemed unsafe due to a termite infestation and was demolished by being burnt to the ground. A new building was built and was officially opened in late 1992. This building continued operating until further improvements were made in 2012, which included a new classroom, increased office area, a parent meeting room, expanded foyer and disabled toilet.
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Further improvements have included extensive landscaping with the inclusion of a disabled car park, a larger sandpit, extended soft fall areas, covered play areas and decked spaces for indoor/outdoor experiences.
In 2018 the “buwanha maldhanhaga- Grow to Provide” Reconciliation Garden was constructed. The garden hosts a variety of native plants and a yarning circle with fire pit. In 2022 the "Yiray- Sun Garden" was officially opened and created a space for Children and Educators to grow fresh produce including seasonal vegetables, citrus trees and a bush tucker garden.
In 2018 the “buwanha maldhanhaga- Grow to Provide” Reconciliation Garden was constructed. The garden hosts a variety of native plants and a yarning circle with fire pit. In 2022 the "Yiray- Sun Garden" was officially opened and created a space for Children and Educators to grow fresh produce including seasonal vegetables, citrus trees and a bush tucker garden.
