Aspley East Kindergarten will celebrate its 60th anniversary this month, marking six decades in operation.
On Saturday, 24 May, the community kindergarten will invite past and present teachers and pupils, and the wider community to mark the special milestone at a diamond anniversary party.
The centre was first formed in 1965, when it began operating in Pineapple Street in Zillmere. It later moved to Clorane Street, Aspley, where a new facility was constructed and officially opened on 14 May 1966. Over the decades, the kindergarten has supported generations of children and their families.
Aspley East Community Kindergarten Director Rachael Ross said the first kindergarten class had 19 children, with a teacher and an assistant educator.
“And since then, we have grown to looking after 50 kids a day, and welcomed generations of the same families many times over our 60 years,” Rachael said.
“We’ve also had many staff members who have been with us for long periods of time, with one member of staff, called Debbie Quig, who has worked at the centre for 26 years. The day she started teaching her first class, it was her eldest daughter’s first day of school, and her youngest daughter was only two years old. Her kids are now 31 and 28!”
Community Celebration Marks 60-Year Milestone
The anniversary event, taking place at the kindergarten centre, will feature an animal farm, a magic show, face painting, balloon making, and a variety of food stalls. The first 100 coffees and ice creams will be given away for free. There will also be meat raffles and a historical gallery showcasing photographs chronicling the kindergarten’s six decades of history.
“Our reputation in the local community has always been very good due to word of mouth, and we are experiencing a resurgence in the demand from families for local community sessional kindergarten as the preferred early years learning approach for their children,” Rachael said.
“Our centre is still going strong, and we are proud and can’t wait to celebrate this momentous anniversary with our amazing community – past, present and future generations.”
For more information, find C&K Aspley East Kindergarten on Facebook.
Aspley East Community Kindergarten 60th Anniversary Celebrations
- Sunday 24 May, 10am to 1pm
- Aspley East Community Kindergarten
- 12 Clorane Street, Aspley
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