FREE KINDERGARTENS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 90, 17 April 1929, Page 11

FREE KINDERGARTENS.

MOVEMENT IN AUCKLAND.

EIGHT INSTITUTIONS.

HOMES FOR TINY TOTS

If any doubts exist as to the value of the free kindergarten system, a visit to any one of the eight institutions that provide for tiny tots of Auckland vilJ immediately dispel them. There radant faces are to be seen on all tides, with the youngsters absorbed in performing simple tasks that mould their minds along approved lines and are calculated to assist them when their primary education begins.

Ihe free kindergarten sysfeni. which irt now a regular feature of educational life, hats come of age so far as Auckland is concerned. It was on o<tober 8, 19U(S. that the Auckland Kindn'-jarten Association was formed. Tie organisation which held its twenty-fist annual meeting to-day. had at th; outset a membership of 2.3, and its sole responsibility was a private sclioo' at Remuera. Today the membership total* 31ti, and eight free kindergartens come under its jurisdiction. Tie association has achieved its object of establishing a chain of kindergartens throughout the city, and has it its command an energetic and painstaking band of teachers. Mr. L. .J. Biguall was the first president of the association, while the president to-da/ is Mr. J. Stanton.

A proline to subsidise the useful Work of .lie association was; made by the (Joverniient when the Hon. Sir Geor»e Fowld. was Minister of Education, and it h?s been fully honoured, the subsidy in recent years amounting approxinlately to £4 a child a year. To-day th* association's assets and accumulated finds aggregate £11000. The (second kindergarten was opened in the cricket paviiion at Victoria Park, and a.as supported by funds from the late Sir John Logan Campbeil and Lady Campbell. Later a permanent school was erected and has since been known athe Campbell Free Kindergarten. On December 23. 11114. the foundation stone was laid of the Myers Free Kindergarten

in Myers J'ark. an inst it utimi founded and equipped through the generosity of the late Sir Arthur Myers, liy 1!) 1 there were three free Schools. Additions since have been the Newmarket, Onehimga. I'oijsoiiby, Otaliuhu. St. James' and Sunbeams Kindergartens. The Otahulm institution was opened during the past year, and it is hoped to commence another new school during- the next twelve months.

The animal report of the assoeiatior. shows receipts during the yea." of £22!>(i, as against £17<>7 in l'.)2S. Payments amounted t<> £1!K>1. There wa< a unpins of ,t!44S of income over expenditure, as against ;ClC> in tlie preceding year. The accumulated funds show an increase of £<100. The report adds: "While this is a gratifying result it must be remembered that all of this amount and more is urgently required for the provision of buildings and furniture for the various kindergartens. This is our coming-of-age year, and while we may look with some pride upon the achievements of our 21 years of existence the council feels that the work is only in its infancy, and that both in its nature and extent there will be great development in kindergarten work in the near future."