Though the buildings might have changed since Buderim Community Kindergarten opened its doors 45 years ago, community is still at the heart of everything they do.
In the late 1960s, Mrs Faye Stapleton was among those who set up life with her family in Buderim. With nowhere for her to take her young child, she helped form a playgroup that would become the Buderim Community Kindergarten. With plenty of hard work from the local community, Buderim Community Kindergarten and Preschool opened the doors of its own premises in 1973.
What is a Community Kindergarten?
A Community Kindergarten is 100 per cent owned and managed by its community. “Our Kindergarten is a not-for profit organisation that relies heavily on the support of committee members, families and the support of our community,” said teacher Wendy Veale.
“The continued success of the Kindy is a testimony to the vision and hard work of all the families, local community and staff who have been involved with over the years!”
Yet, surprisingly little has changed at the small and intimate Kindy over the decades.
“The buildings and yard have gradually been updated but the Kindergarten has always recognised that the early years of education are the foundation for future success,” Wendy said. It is with this approach in mind that the centre remains as a safe and nurturing environment for children to learn and grow through play.
“We believe that early childhood is a fundamentally important and special time in a child’s life,” Wendy said. “We value diversity and acknowledge the important role that families, staff and the wider community contribute in supporting every child’s individual growth and development.”
A community within a community
Being owned by the community, the Kindy believes in also giving back to the community.
“In April this year, we started a ‘Gratitude Plate’,” explained Wendy. “The Plate, presented with biscuits or fruit (or whatever else you can make!), is given in gratitude for the work you do for our community and must be handed on to someone you feel worthy.”
The plate’s first recipient was fireman Chris, who helped with an accident at Burpengary.
“Chris asked us to teach the children to hold an adults hand in the car park or when crossing the road,” Wendy said. “He came to Kindy to help build our new Aboriginal Garden and the children made biscuits for the plate.”
A few weeks later, Buderim Kindy received a thank you from the Wishlist team who had the plate passed on to them with some delicious brownies. “The volunteers at the Sunshine Coast Health service enjoyed them with their lunch. We look forward with great anticipation to following the journey of our Gratitude Plate in the community.”
What the kids say… What makes you happy at Kindy?
- The two Kindy chooks
- Painting
- Puzzles
- The sandpit
- Climbing
- The Fairy Garden
- Water play
- Doing yoga
- Singing songs
- Playing games
- My friends
- Fruit trees in the backyard
- Visitors
Buderim Community Kindergarten offers a 5-day fortnight program for children aged 3½ to 4½ years old
W: buderimkindy.com.au / P: (07) 5445 1952 / FB: @BuderimCommunityKindergarten
