QUALITY, HERITAGE AND LEADERSHIP
Celebrating
120 years
2015 represented 120 years since KU was
founded, and early education in Australia
was born.
This significant and unmatched milestone
brought with it a year of celebrations, as we
found a variety of clever and creative ways
to mark the occasion. We also took time to
proudly reflect on our unique heritage.
Founded in 1895, KU (then the Kindergarten
Union of NSW) opened the country’s first
kindergarten, aimed at providing education for
the community’s most disadvantaged children.
Chief Executive Officer, Christine Legg, noted
some of the constants, and changes, the
organisation has experienced during that time.
“So much has changed in Australian early
education over the past 120 years; the
buildings and playgrounds, regulations and
standards, funding to support children with
additional needs, and research have all
come a long way. The more recent impact
of technology on the education and care of
young children is significant.
KU established
1895
120th Annual Report 2015
“However many things have not changed at
all. At its core, KU has always been driven by
the value of play, and the knowledge that
the early years is a crucial period in children’s
learning, providing a strong foundation for
future success in learning and citizenship. ”
Having played such an important role in
shaping the lives of generations of young
Australians, the organisation was pleased
and proud to celebrate this momentous
occasion with so many of the children,
families, organisations and communities who
have shared KU’s journey.
Early in the year, KU centres participated in
a week of 120 Years themed celebrations,
with more than 120 centres hosting a
range of unique events within their local
community, including period costume
parades, old fashioned games, high teas
and commemorative activities such as tree
plantings, time capsules and plaque unveilings.
1 centre
1896
45 centres
1960s