outcome compared to how they functioned in a
centre that contained a lot of plastic and concrete.
How have children responded to the ideas and
experiences you have introduced?
The children are very engaged with the space
and materials. They test their ideas, problem
solve individually and in groups, make discoveries,
balance on the rocks and tree stumps, and
construct with large and small loose parts. They
imagine, they create, and they develop physical
and social confidence. I believe that natural
materials stimulate a child’s imagination to a far
greater extent than man-made materials. Most
recently we created a sea world play space using
loose parts and natural materials, the goal being
AN INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER
O’DOWD, DIRECTOR AT KU CHESTER
HILL CHILDREN’S CENTRE
KU Chester Hill is a 40-place community-based
long day care centre. It became a part of KU
Children’s Services on 20 January 2004. The
premises are owned by Bankstown City Council and
the change of management of this centre marked
a new phase in a long-term partnership between
Council and KU. The centre is open from 7:00am to
5:30pm, Monday to Friday, for 48 weeks per year.
It closes for four weeks over the Christmas period.
The centre is a convenient eight-minute walk
from the local train station and bus stop and has
plenty of free street parking out the front of the
centre. Our vision and focus is sustainability and
the environment. This is reflected in the children’s
knowledge, environment and program.
Page 4
for children to learn about corals and develop an
awareness towards the consequences of climate
change.
How have parents engaged with your interest
in sustainability?
I think at first, most parents were unsure of the
benefit of the natural materials that we were using.
However, once their children were exposed to this
environment for a period, all parents acknowledged
that they were developing significantly in
confidence and with their social skills. They now
also see that their children are happy to come to
the centre every day. This gives them peace of
mind while they are at work. Some parents have
donated loose parts and other natural materials.
What do your parents think of this interest in
sustainability?
Initially, families responded by commenting that
they “love the green space, abundance of plants
and all the different animals. It is an oasis in a
built-up industrial area”. As their children settle
into the program, families realise how much
deeper it goes. They understand how much caring
for our environment and extending children’s
learning is embedded in our everyday program. For
example, when we water the garden, we discuss
our rainwater tanks, the last time it rained, whether
we need to water, collect food from the garden
for a cooking experience or to be used for lunch
and collecting eggs. Parents often remark on how
much they are learning from their children and
how much better they are at recycling and sourcing
sustainable products, because this is normal at
www.ku.com.au
JANUARY 2019