“The building of Sydenham Free Kindergarten was a notable achievement, showing how great oaks may grow from little acorns. It required eight years of unremitting effort to raise, in small sums, the amount required with which to build… Small sales of work, of produce, small card parties, and sometimes the larger event of a fair, formed the principal means by which the £1000 was raised. It is worthy of note that, up to the time when the committee had £850 in hand, no cash donation of more than 5/- had been received.”

And even from the beginning of our kindergarten Association, we understood the need for qualified teachers and a focus on learning…  

“The aim of the Association is to open kindergartens where children, between the ages of 3 and 5, may be taught by teachers and students specially trained in child physiology and child hygiene. In kindergarten, in the most receptive years of his life, a child quickly learns to be self-reliant, observant, thoughtful and able to co-operate with their fellows. By means of play, and play materials, he acquires a liking for manual occupations, thereby strengthening his mental, physical and moral powers. By the teacher who thoroughly understands his requirements, he is taught to love truth and those qualities that later stand for civic harmony. It is the hope of our Association that we may be able to bring every child within the beneficial influence of kindergarten training.” – Monica A. Thacker, President, Sydenham Kindergarten 21st Birthday Publication.