KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28518, 22 February 1958, Page 2

KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION

• Delegates’ Meeting Mrs A. F. Johnson presided at a recent meeting of delegates to the Christchurch Free Kindergarten Association and welcomed members to the first meeting of the year. The last year, she said, had been one of great achievement and excellent work. Lady Cobham has consented to be the patron of the Union of Free Kindergartens. Letters of congratulations and good wishes sent to Lady Mallaby, wife of the British High Commissioner, who was knighted in the New Year honours list, to Mrs Aldrich, 0.8. E., of Invercargill, who has been associated with kindergarten work for the last 50 years, and to Mrs A. Rose. M.8.E., of the Christchurch Plunket Society. The new Riccarton Kindergarten in Harakeke street was ready for occupation on February 11 it was reported. It was likely that by the end of the year only two out of 30 kindergartens now functioning would be in rented halls. Because of the increased number of students being trained, extensions would be necessary, and plans and specifications for them were nearly ready, a report said. A £25 bursary for post-graduate study has, been offered to each of the four training centres, and the union has set up a special selection committee. Thirty new students have been enrolled at the college this term, making 55 students now being trained. There were more applications than vacancies. A sub-committee consisting of Mesdames Mathias, McCreanor, Pearson, Thornton and Tilley was set up to investigate and report on rest periods for kindergarten children. Miss Wilkie, principal of the college, said that all Christchurch kindergartens were fully staffed. Of the 21 graduates in December it had been' possible to appoint 12 to Christchurch. The other nine obtained positions in other districts. Miss E. Millen has taken up duties on the college staff as supervisor of students. •, The resignation of Mr Lee, who has been lecturing at the college on “child psychology” was received with regret. He was congratulated on his new appointment. Dr. Jean Seabrook has agreed to give a course of lectures to senior students on child development.