AGY-4575 | Committee of Advice on Pre-School Education and Care

Full description

The Committee of Advice on Pre-School Education and Care was established under government sponsorship to advise on the expansion of pre-school education; the setting of acceptable standards; and the administration, staffing and inspection of kindergartens.(1)

Committee members were: Dr E. Sydney Morris as Chairman, Mrs H.P. Fitzsimons, Mrs I.M. King, Dr G. Guthbert, Dr M. Harper, Mr H.L. Harris, Mr Goldie (Deputy for Mr J.T. Monaghan), Mr L.J. Cunningham, and Professor C.R. McRae.(2)

The Committee investigated gaps or overlaps in the provision of pre-school education and its frequency of sitting varied between one and four weeks.

A sub-committee was appointed to investigate standards for premises and staffing, including the standard of training for teachers and supervisors, and the standard of accommodation for the different types of pre-school units: toddler’s waiting places, nurseries, nursery schools, and kindergartens.(3) The Committee of Advice on Pre-School Education and Care subsequently recommended appropriate standards.

The minutes of the Committee’s meeting of the 21 February 1947 stated the Committee would meet after a draft of its final report had been sent to all members for consideration. However, there are no minutes dated after 21 February 1947 so it is not known if the Committee reconvened after this date.



ENDNOTES
1. Concise Guide to the State Archives (H-K): Health, K. Councils, Boards and Committees, CGS 4883.
2. Minutes of the Committee of Advice on Pre-School Education and Care, 22 May 1946, 5/5844.
3. loc. cit.