Our Story
“Our Place in the Park”
For over 70 years, Bardon Kindy has supported and educated children and families in our community. Our rich history is represented by the strong connection generations of Bardon locals have with our buildings and grounds, nestled under the canopy of Bowman Park and known as “Our Place in the Park’. Bowman Park is an important Bardon landmark and social hub, and this sense of place is deeply valued and nurtured and continues to play a significant role in the identity of the Kindy.
We acknowledge the Turrbal and Yuggera people, the traditional owners of the land, and thank them for taking care of and sharing the beautiful environment where we are privileged to meet, play and work every day.
Years Operating
Classrooms
Kids each week
Staff
Originally opened in a local church with 12 children attending for a two and a half hours a day, the Kindy has grown to become an integral part of the Bardon community, providing learning, care and support to 88 children and their families each week.
For many years the Kindy operated out of the Bardon Community Hall in partnership with the Bardon Community Association. When the number of children grew to 40, the committee decided it was time to expand. In 1964, after much hard work and fundraising by local families, the Mary Streeter Building (currently Unit 1) was opened in honour of our first Director and her 25 years of service. Expansion continued in 1979 with the addition of the Joyce Hogg annex (currently Unit 1 veranda), named after our second director (22 years of service).
Bardon Community Kindy first became affiliated with the Creche and Kindergarten Association in 1980 and then became affiliated with The Gowrie Qld in 2011.
Our beautiful play spaces and connection to the natural environment are a fundamental part of the Kindy’s identity. Our yard and surrounding bushland environment have grown and evolved over the years into a highly inviting and engaging play-scape and leafy sanctuary. Again, this is thanks to the hard work and dedication of parents and volunteers over the decades including, but not limited to, planting trees, fundraising, building and maintaining structures and even acquiring additional land.
Bardon Kindy has a proud tradition of long service and dedication from its employees, and the contribution of a number of former Bardon Kindy educators is recognised in the Kindy grounds with the following features:
- Carole’s Wild Walk (Carole Wild – Our third Director – 30 years)
- Janny’s Garden (Janny Boersma – 17 years)
- Heather’s Bridge (Heather Humphreys – 43 years)
- Gloria’s Water Statue (Gloria Parmenter – 30 years)
- Julie’s Creek-scape (Julie Boyd – Our fourth Director – 29 years)
Bardon Kindy now employs nine permanent staff across the week:
- 1 Director/Teacher
- 3 Teachers
- 3 Educators
- 2 Administrative managers
- 1 OHC Coordinator/Float Educator
In response to the evolving needs of our families and community, Bardon Kindy now operates a consistent days model, with a 3 day or 2 day long day class option.
For more information about Bardon Community Kindy, please see our Kindy Handbook.