Summary of 1951 Annual Report. 

The report stresses the pride that parents of preschool-aged children felt – seen particularly in the first paragraph: “We in Canberra are particularly fortunate in the field of pre-school facilities. A very high proportion of our three to five year old age group attends admirably equipped and staffed pre-school centres; for the we have to thank not only a benevolent Department of the Interior but also the great vigour and enthusiasm of parents in initiating and expanding the pre-school programme.”

The Annual Report highlights the efforts of parent to:

• raise funds to provide scholarships for training new staff,
• meet on a monthly basis to discuss matters affecting the “welfare of the pre-school child”
• distribution of information about activities of the “play centres”, and
• the participation of council members on other affiliated organisations.

The report highlights the expansion of the programme into Narrabundah (Opened Sep 1951) and Throsby Crescent (Opened Nov 1951) and predicts the planning for Yarralumla and O’Connor. These centres were made possible by the hands-on practical work and fund-raising of “enthusiastic play centre committees”.

Mentioning the enrolment of “N[n]ew Australian children” into Monaro Crescent and the role of the “Mobile Unit” provides insight into the diversity of the preschool-aged population.

A mild outbreak of Poliomyelitis caused the closure of all centres on the 2nd of September.

The gradual alignment of the play centres to the primary school calendar commenced with a survey of parents to “ascertain if they [parents] preferred to have the play centre holidays coincide with the public school holidays”. With a majority of parents in favour of the change, the Department [of the Interior] adjusted the holidays in 1951.

The use of a Mobile Unit was extended to include “outlying parts of the A.C.T. and in those areas of Canberra which are as yet without play centres.” The Mobile Unit also visited the children’s ward of the Community Hospital. The expansion of this part of the program included the appointment of an additional teacher.

It appears that the gradual opening of the suburban play centres did not decrease the waiting-list for places at the Canberra Nursery Kindergarten. So the report mentions that the Society was considering the establishment of another Nursery School as one of its new objectives.

A party was held in March to honour the “splendid work done by all members of the pre-school staff.

Pre-School Advisory Committee.

The Society had a role on the Pre-School Advisory Committee. The focus was certainly divided between publicising the programme both within the A.C.T. and nationally and internationally. Consideration was also being given to devising an alternative to the “quota systems” for entry into the Canberra Nursery [Kindergarten] School.

The Committee also re-established a Child Care course for 4th and 5th  year [currently years 10 & 11] High School girls – 16 were enrolled.
Mention was made to investigate the “numbers of sub-normal children in the A.C.T.” in order to ascertain the viability of facilities being made available for “their training”.

Australian Association for Pre-School Child Development.
Participation by the Society on this committee explored the viability of establishing a “post-diploma” course for Kindergarten teachers in the A.C.T..

Housekeeper Service.
An increase in the number of available housekeepers was made during the year – sourcing the new housekeepers from recent immigration.

Goodneighbour Council
This initiative was convened by a member of the Canberra Nursery Kindergarten Society Council. The purpose was to assist the “assimilation of New Australian children into the play centres. Managed by hosting parties for the children and encouraging participation of New Australian parents in Society events, such as the “Latvian Male Choir and their families” contributing “delightfully to our ‘Courtyard Carols'”.

National Council of Women.
An investigation into the general welfare facilities for children “with regard to matters as a Children’s Welfare Act, court procedure, the provision of child welfare officers” – revealed that “despite the intense community interest in Canberra in pre-school and later education, no general welfare facilities” existed.

Fundraising for Scholarships for new teachers
Included:

•  “Courtyard Carols” (which was described as “artistically successful” however “the financial return was not as great as had been hoped”),
• a card party in the Albert Hall,
• a general appeal to the play centres to financial contribute,
• the recording of 2 musical evenings that were privately arranged by 2 Council members, and
• a general appeal to the public was made through “The Canberra Times” – whilst the advertisement was free – made no financial return.

Closing remarks
Acknowledgements were made to express thanks to: Mr Gleeson (Honorary Auditor) and to “The Canberra Times”. Also comments were made as to the stability of the Council for the term of the year