In August 2005 SDN Children’s Services (formerly the Sydney Day Nursery and Nursery Schools Association, formerly the Sydney Day Nursery Association) celebrated 100 years as a provider of early childhood services to young children and families in NSW.

SDN’s rich educational and social history is preserved in a dedicated area, The History Room, at the Woolloomooloo Child and Family Learning Centre, corner of McElhone Street and Reid Avenue, Woolloomooloo.

Background to the collection

The plight of children at risk, left alone while parents worked, was the driving force behind the formation of SDN. In 1905 six young women held a meeting that led to the opening of the first day nursery in a terrace house in Woolloomooloo, Sydney.

The SDN Archive documents the issues, theories, research and achievements that have shaped long day care services today.

Learn more about our long and interesting history

  • About our Archive
  • What does the Archive contain?
  • Who might be interested in the Archive?
  • How can the Archive be accessed?
  • Who is responsible for the collection?
  • Centenary Publication

About our Archive

Our Archive is a permanent collection of records and documents that have been generated by SDN in the course of its work with children and families over 100 years of operation.  Professional archivists have guided the processing of the collection, which is readily accessible through our database. SDN’s Archive has been greatly assisted through three Community Heritage Grants from the National Library of Australia, the microfilming of our executive records to 1992 by the State Library of NSW, support of our oral histories program by the City of Sydney and a grant from the Royal Australian Historical Society.  

What does the Archive contain?

The Archive contains:

  • A complete set of Annual Reports from 1905 on microfilm
  • Extensive minutes of executive meetings and nursery school branch meetings (first minute book 1905-1908 is now available online)
  • Log books and teachers’ programming books
  • Oral histories from staff and committee members, with transcripts
  • A catalogued art collection of works by young children in the 1960s and students from the Nursery School Teachers College in the 1950s
  • An extensive collection of newspaper articles on microfilm, photographs, original deeds to properties and copies of submissions to government departments
  • A comprehensive collection of informative reports, photographs and curriculum materials that relate to the specialised teacher training provided by the Nursery School Teachers College between 1935 and 1973.

Who might be interested in the Archive?

This collection holds information that might interest students of Early Childhood and Social History. It covers SDN history in relation to:

  • The story of professionalism and the constant challenges involved in delivering a high quality service to children and families
  • The plight of children in Sydney during the depression and two world wars
  • The ongoing way volunteers have played a significant role in the running of the organisation since its inception
  • Some of the pioneering figures whose energies and determination have helped shape this organisation
  • The early teacher training provided at The Nursery School Teachers College, set up and run by SDN from 1935 to 1973, to provide staff for the centres
  • Changing curriculum and developmental concerns over a century of operation
  • The role played by governments in providing subsidies and supporting long day care.

How can the Archive be accessed?

Requests to research items of interest in the collection are welcomed. Please call 02 9360 2696 to arrange a visit to The History Room or email history@sdn.org.au

Who is responsible for the collection?

The collection is the property of SDN Children’s Services. SDN’s History Committee is a group of interested volunteers who undertake archival activities to preserve the collection. Their task is to implement The Strategic Management Plan prepared by The History Company and to make the Archive accessible to people wishing to research aspects of SDN’s history.

Centenary Publication

To celebrate the Centenary in 2005, Dr. Leone Huntsman was commissioned by SDN to write a brief history of the organisation. This project was assisted by the City of Sydney History Program and by friends and supporters of SDN. Please contact Publications at SDN on 02 9213 2400 for copies.