Hard work leads to kindergarten’s opening
The museum’s latest temporary exhibition marking the history of South Canterbury Kindergartens includes the stories of the remarkable community efforts to open centres.
The origins of each of the early centres followed a process of holding a public meeting where a volunteer committee tasked with establishing a new kindergarten was formed by interested locals. This meant each centre was rooted in the community right from the start.
Every kindergarten opening was a cause for celebration as it represented a massive effort by many committed volunteers.
The origins of Waimataitai Kindergarten is one of the many impressive stories that make up the display.
Community demand for the kindergarten saw a committee formed in 1948. Normally new centres were first set up in local halls but a lack of suitable buildings made this impossible.
The Waimataitai committee had no option but start fundraising for a new building right from the start. This was a large job that took a long time, committed parents spent years raising money for a kindergarten that their children would be too old to attend.
After eight years of hard work Waimataitai Kindergarten was opened in its picturesque site in a very proud ceremony in 1956.