Discover the Magic of Muswellbrook Pre School

Before 1965 there were no facilities for caring for preschool-aged children in Muswellbrook. The Liddell Power Station was also in the construction phase at the time, providing a greater push to provide childcare facilities. New families to town provided a different clientele—those without family support in the town. There were no funds or subsidies to get the preschool established, so all monies needed to run the facility had to be raised or paid by parents who used the school.

Muswellbrook Preschool Kindergarten opened in the then Methodist Hall in Bridge Street, Muswellbrook, in February 1965 with one teacher, Mrs Shirley Feeney, and one teacher’s aide, Mrs Aileen Southcombe. The Methodist Church was convinced that the project had merit and offered the church hall for nominal rent. When the school opened, it had a tiny bank balance of just 20 pounds raised by fundraising, with the two staff working almost voluntarily. The total enrolment was 20 children.

In 1967 the committee purchased the Tohama Tennis Club site and clubhouse from the Serhan family (where we are now situated). They built a toilet block to convert the clubhouse into a suitable building for a preschool. We started with one room, and sessions were flexible depending on need at the time.

Parents went on a roster for gardening, and we didn’t have a cleaner for at least the first ten years. Staff went back in before the beginning of each term to clean and set up. No one was employed to cover sick staff in the early days, as parents assisted or people volunteered. For major jobs, family members came in to clean windows and gutters. Together with regular working bees, things got done. Parents were always willing to do small jobs when asked, and there was usually a tradesman dad to call on.

The bus service began when building started on the south side of town and families had difficulty getting children to preschool. Usually there was only one car, and Dad would have that to go to work. Before South Muswellbrook developed, most people could walk to preschool. Thompson’s had bus runs and children attending preschool, and offered to pick children up from South Muswellbrook. Rita Thompson, the grandmother, drove the preschool bus for free, with only petrol costs needing to be paid.

Families have always been heavily involved and regularly attended to help and fundraise. There was a committee, and in earlier days a mothers’ club. They organised a raffle every week—usually a cake—and swap tables for used clothes and toys. This fundraising was essential, as fees barely covered wages. It was a struggle to pay rates, insurance, and purchase equipment.

With the support of the preschool, several children’s services were established within the town and the valley. Some of the first playgroups initially met at the preschool. Upper Hunter Family Day Care and the Muswellbrook Child Care Centre had firm support from the preschool.

In 1986, plans began for a new building phase due to the deteriorating condition of the building (where Room 1 is currently situated). The committee commenced extensive fundraising and planned in conjunction with the Department of Youth and Community Services. It was decided to include a room to house present and future programs for children with additional needs. This room is now known as Preschool 2 (or Room 4). The cost was shared between the preschool and the Department of Employment, Education and Training.

These plans also included developing a larger car park. The land was purchased two years earlier by Director Shirley Feeney and her husband after the committee stated it could not afford it. As Shirley said, “There was no way I was going to let it go to someone else.” Once the preschool could afford it, she sold the land back for $15,000, adding only the paid rates.

Work began in September after approval was granted, involving demolition of the thirty-year-old building. The new extensions (Rooms 1 and 4) opened in May 1988 at an estimated cost of $100,000. Donations included $5,000 from Muswellbrook Shire Council and $15,000 from the Rodeo Association, with the remainder raised through fundraising. During construction, children used demountable rooms and toilet blocks donated by the Electricity Commission.

In 1991, the preschool used the new facilities to apply for 10 additional places. A grant funded boundary walls and playground extensions. Room 4 was originally used as a toy library, with part sectioned off and separate access via a roller door.

When Room 4 opened as a separate preschool—Muswellbrook Preschool Kindergarten Number 2—it had its own staff, Director, finances, and enrolments. Over time, the two preschools were consolidated. Following the resignation of the Preschool 2 Director in 2006, one Director took responsibility for both services. They continue to operate under one Director today.

In 2014, Muswellbrook Preschool Kindergarten expanded with a significant donation from BHP Billiton – Mt Arthur Coal. This led to the opening of a new service at Sowerby Street behind the Hill Street Preschool. Preschool Number 2 closed as a teaching room in 2015 and became a community room. Both sites now operate under one approval number with two service approvals.

By 2015 the Preschool had 8 University trained Teachers, including the Director, 17 Educators, 3 administrations, and 4 cleaners on permanent contracts and several casual staff. Many of our staff were work on a part time basis and we pride ourselves in offering flexible working arrangements. 

In 2020, we experienced the emergence of COVID-19, which created entirely new challenges for our staff and families. How do you run a preschool program remotely, and how do you safely remain open to care for and educate the children of essential workers? We quickly adapted by following health orders and policies and developed a remote preschool program. We offered take‑home craft packs, video recordings of stories, songs, and games, and even Zoom classrooms for our teachers and children.

Also in 2020, Amaroo was born. Amaroo is our fully dedicated outdoor classroom—a wonderful place where children can grow vegetables, climb trees, dig holes, care for animals, and play in water. In Amaroo, children also participate in music lessons, visit the Zen Den, complete art projects, dress up, engage in STEM experiences, and take part in science experiments. Amaroo includes recycling projects and waste‑warrior facilities. Children collect each classroom’s used banana peels and make banana water to help the vegetables and plants grow. Other food scraps are fed to the chickens, worms, or compost bins. In Amaroo, children slow down, connect with nature, and learn to care for the environment.

In October 2025, Muswellbrook Preschool celebrated its 60th birthday. The town came together on the preschool grounds for a sausage sizzle, party entertainment, balloon animals, face painting, party bags, and a walk down memory lane. We shared photo albums and stories and welcomed many visitors who discussed their experiences over the years. Many former staff members were able to attend, and a special presentation was held, including plaques, a commemorative bench, and tree plantings to honour the dedication of those who have contributed over the past sixty years. We also produced commemorative teddy bears, T‑shirts, and tea towels.

Over the past five years, we have made several adjustments and renovations to our classrooms and their purposes. Through trial and error, we have identified the most effective layout for our classrooms, including Amaroo, as well as our office spaces, storage facilities, library, and staff room. In 2026, we employ 60 staff. This includes 8 university‑trained teachers, several diploma‑ or Certificate III‑trained educators, 4 trainees (3 of whom are also SBATs), 2 educational leaders, 7 administration staff, 4 cleaners, and 1 maintenance person. We currently cater for 100 children aged three to five each day and engage with an average of 250 families each week. Our enrolments have been at capacity for the past ten years. For the past 60 years, Muswellbrook Preschool Kindergarten has provided a high‑quality program for all children, regardless of background, socioeconomic status, cultural identity, or additional needs. As a result, we are held in high regard within our community.