1970

• Farrer Preschool
• Fraser Preschool
• Page Preschool - Closes in 2007
• Scullin Preschool (In 2008, Scullin Preschool joined Scullin Primary to become the Southern Cross Early Childhood School)

The explosive growth of preschool centres across the ACT became a hot issue – with a suggestion that the CPS split into two bodies to help administer the workload.  This idea did not get very far.  However, the workload was still a serious issue – bearing in mind that all of it was being undertaken by volunteer members of the CPS Council.

1971

The following preschools open:

• Waramanga Preschool
• Weston Preschool

1972

The following preschools open:

• Fisher Preschool
• Holder Preschool - Closes in 1990
• Latham Preschool
• Rivett Preschool - Closes in 2006

A paper titled, “Possible Future Developments in EC Education in the 1970’s” was written by Mr. Alan Foskett.  In it were the following “predictions”:

• Pre-school education is creating worldwide interest and everything points to further attention being focussed on this field of education over the next ten years.
• By 1980 nearly 90 pre-schools will be operating and enrolments will total 6,500
• This increase will lead to regional and decentralised administration
• A link with primary education will be firmly established by a combination of site planning and staff liaison
• The wider based pre-school educational system will lead to larger units.
• Significant attention will be paid to children of additional and special needs, for example, low socio-economics, ESL, behavioural …
• Although pre-school education will not become compulsory, it is certain that a higher proportion of children will participate.
• Changing age structures may make it possible for increasing numbers of pre-school children to attend on each day.
• Further integration between pre-school and the infants school may possibly lead to pre-schools being built as part of the infants school.
• One interesting possibility … is the Junior School an educational grouping of the three to eight year olds.  Some parts of Canberra yet to be developed may lend themselves to this type of school.  The buildings will integrate the educational needs of both pre-school and infants (Kindergarten, Year1 & 2) aged children.  Older children will move out of the area for primary and secondary schooling.  We think Junior Schools could be appropriate for certain parts of Belconnen and the new Tuggeranong District.

1973

The following preschool opens:

• Duffy Preschoo
• Holt Preschool - Closes in 2008
• Melba Preschool
• Weetangera Preschool

A part time secretary was employed by the CPS Council – for  two hours per day during school terms.  1973 was also the year where an idea was floated to convert the Preschool Parent Committees into Preschool Boards.  However it was not adopted.  An interim ACT Schools Authority was formed with a CPS representative as a member.  In 1973, there were 4,138 children enrolled in 48 preschools.

The CPS Secretary’s wages were increased to $2.50 per hour for 3 hours per day during school terms.
The CPS Council reviews is role and it is recognised that with increasing numbers of preschools the work undertaken by the CPS becomes more remote from that of the day-to-day operations of its Preschool Parent Association members.  Due to the large number of Preschool Parent Associations present at each General Meeting.  it was decided that the only reports that were to be presented were those form the CPS Council and the Government’s ACT Preschool Officer.  It was written in the minutes of the CPS “This should make Parent Associations far more fully aware of what CPS is getting involved in and would help you appreciate some of the reasons why we seek your assistance to conduct various activities”
Affiliation fees were set at $25 for Parent Associations of less than 75 children and $30 for more than 75.  There was no per-child charge.

The following preschool opens:

• Evatt Preschool
• Macgregor Preschool

The following preschools open:

• O’Connor Co-operative Preschool
• Giralang Preschool
• Jervis Bay Preschool
• Mount Neighbour (later Namadgi School Boddington Site) Preschool
• Village Creek Preschool - closes in 2010

Society began the proceeding to become an Incorporated body.  It also began to undertake the task of arranging a group insurance package for all Preschool Parent Associations.  In addition to its representative, administrative and assistance role it also did it’s own fund-raising to ensure that it remained financially solvent.

1976
The following preschools open

• Chapman Preschool
• Charnwood Preschool
• Hawker Preschool
• Kaleen Preschool
• Urambi Preschool
• Wanniassa Preschool

The CPS staff member resigned and the CPS Council Secretary fulfilled the position until a new person could be employed.  The rate was increased to $3.80 per hour.

1977
The following preschools open:

• Hall Preschool
• Spence Preschool

4,900 children were enrolled in 72 ACT Preschools.  Affiliation fees were changed to a per-child.  The rate was .50 cents per child. The CPS Council again had to undertake the additional task of fund-raising to remain financially solvent.  Each Preschool Parent Association was expected to assist with the fund-raising task – but this was not always the case.

1978

The following preschools open:

• Taylor Preschool
• Wanniassa Hills Preschool

The CPS moved it’s office to Downer Primary School.  A raffle was held for the CPS to breakeven financially.  The hours of the secretary were reduced to 2.5 hours per day during school terms.

The following preschools open:

• Flynn Preschool
• Maribyrnong Preschool

The CPS General Meetings were held in the Woden Library as it was a more central venue.  The CPS introduced the first of its “training” sessions for Preschool Parent Association Executive Committees.  These were very successful.