History
Who was Ada Mary A’Beckett?
Ada Mary A’Beckett was born in Norwood, Adelaide in1872, and was integral to the kindergarten movement.
In 1908 she was elected as foundation president of the Free Kindergarten Union of Victoria. In 1916 Ada helped establish the Kindergarten Training College in Kew, and between 1920 and 1923 she helped develop the training course there for kindergarten teachers lecturing in physiology and hygiene. Ada was also the president of the Free Kindergarten Union of Victoria from 1919 to 1939; and the president of the Kindergarten Training Council from 1926 to 1939. In 1936 she founded the Australian Association for Pre-School Child Development.
History of Ada Mary A’Beckett Children’s Centre
- 1942 – Mrs. A’Beckett launched a huge fundraising effort, in order to start the kinder in its first site in Batman road.
- 1949 – Kinder moved to it’s present site in Cumberland Road
- 1975 – The building was completely destroyed by fire.
- 1975-77 – Kinder operated from the Chapel of Seaman’s Mission on Beach Road
- 1977 – The present building was constructed.
- 1996 – The centre transformed to provide long day care
- 2005 – The under three yard was redeveloped and upgraded with over $120,000 being spent in new surfacing, shade, planting and equipment being installed.
- 2007 – Saw a $1.6 million dollar redevelopment of the entire site, where the building was doubled in size, so that the centre now offers 6 rooms.
- 2009 – the kinder yard was re developed, with the yard now offering a large grassed space, separate quiet time area and re designed sandpit.
- 2012 – has seen the final stage of the preschool yard redevelopment with the installation of the creek bed.
learn, play, grow
Ada Mary A'Beckett Children's Centre
2 Batman Road
Port Melbourne 3207
