SDN has long been at the forefront of early childhood education. In the 1930s SDN was the first to combine a preschool program with long day care by training and employing qualified early childhood teachers in the nurseries.

In 1931 the Sydney Day Nursery and Nursery Schools Association established the first training centre for nursery school teachers in NSW, at Woolloomooloo Nursery. The establishment of the Nursery School Training Centre (later Training College then Teachers’ College) responded to an urgent need for ‘properly trained teachers’ to work in the newly founded nursery schools.

According to an early prospectus (circa 1939), the purpose of the Nursery School Training College was: to offer to the students a professional training in educational principles and modern methods of teaching children ranging in age from 18 months to six years. Although the training is a broad and cultural one, special emphasis is laid on the scientific study of the needs and development of young children.

Initially a two-year course, the training was expanded in 1942 to a three-year diploma course. From its earliest days, the training was holistic. Subjects taught were scientific, artistic, and aimed at supporting parenting. They included Psychology, Hygiene, Child Welfare, Eurhythmics, Infant Welfare and Mental Health, and Child Development.

Many of the principles on which the Nursery School Training Centre was founded resonate soundly with SDN’s contemporary practices. Just as our forebears did, we recognise the importance of understanding the multiple individual, familial, social, cultural and political factors that affect young children’s lives, and we continue to advocate strenuously for ‘properly trained teachers’ in early childhood settings.

Many of the core values on which SDN was built remain relevant to this day. SDN remains true to the Association’s initial mission: we continue to operate as a not-for-profit organisation, putting children first and returning any surplus into the quality of our services; we uphold our commitment to provide high-quality education and child care, and services for children and families; we continue to advocate for children’s right to access early childhood education and care; and we maintain our commitment to protect children and support families.