History
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From 1914 Hornsby Primary School and Kindergarten (Norwood College) operated in Dural Street, Hornsby.
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This was the earliest known example of a purpose-built kindergarten/preparatory school found in Sydney.
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The school was attended by an 8-year-old Dorothy Banister (nee Gillan) who liked the name and later used it when she founded Norwood Kindergarten in 1959.
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Mrs Bannister, who had trained as an early childhood teacher at Waverley, adapted her own home at Mount Colah to accommodate a preschool for 8 children, which included her own daughter.
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The following year there were 22 children and Mrs Carlene Smith was employed as her assistant.
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Over the years, Mrs Bannister’s daughter, two of her grandson’s and one great grandson have attended Norwood. In 1964 the preschool was purchased by Mrs Smith who then became the director.
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Norwood Kindergarten became a Community Based Preschool in 1976 with an active parent Management Committee. Mrs Karin Watts joined the staff in 1984 and became Director in 1988 when Mrs Smith retired.
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Mills Park which is on Crown Land, was the site of an old Quarry. It was first developed by council for sporting facilities in 1944 and was leased by Hornsby Women’s Bowls Club, various playgroups and several community clubs over the years.
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The preschool moved from Mount Colah to its current location at 2A Chelmsford Road, Asquith (Mills Park Hall) in 1990.
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In 1996 Mrs Beverley Gowenlock joined Norwood as Co-Director.
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The community of Norwood currently provides quality early education for around 50 students per year, 25 students per day.
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Over the years the parents, staff and community have actively fundraised to provide playground and indoor equipment, storage sheds, building improvements, learning areas, and volunteered their time to establish and landscape its beautiful gardens.
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To this day, Norwoood continues to lease the premises from Hornsby Shire Council.
Our Vision
Our vision is to educate and support the children of today who will be our community leaders of tomorrow.
Our Philosophy
Norwood Community Preschool provides a play-based learning environment that values each child’s unique strengths, interests and potential. Through play, we encourage children to develop confidence, resilience and a lifelong love of learning.
The safety, wellbeing and best interests of children are at the centre of all we do and guide every decision we make. We are committed to fostering a child-safe culture that safeguards children’s physical and emotional wellbeing by ensuring every child is valued, heard, respected and protected. We support children to develop a strong sense of belonging, independence and agency within a nurturing environment.
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We acknowledge the Darug and Guringai people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our preschool is located. We respect the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and perspectives and are committed to fostering children’s understanding of connection to Country.
We recognise families as our children’s first and most important educators and value the partnerships we build with them. We welcome the diverse cultures, values and experiences that families bring to our preschool community.
Norwood is committed to sustainability and encourages children to develop care and responsibility for the natural environment. We take pride in our natural outdoor spaces and preschool grounds. Our indoor and outdoor environments encourage children to make choices, take risks, discover and engage in child-led learning experiences.
Norwood is built on meaningful partnerships between children, families, staff and the local community. We value these connections and create opportunities for children to feel a strong sense of belonging, contribute to their community, show empathy and develop social responsibility.
Our experienced educators create a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment where every child feels supported to learn and grow. We recognise and value the important roles and unique personal qualities of each staff member. As a team, we support one another, work collaboratively and champion ongoing reflection, professional learning and improvement.
This shared commitment strengthens our relationships with children and families, and guides high-quality education and care now and for future generations to come.
Hours and Holidays
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Norwood Community Preschool (NCP) is licensed to enrol 25 children per day aged from 3 to under 6 years old.
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Children attend the preschool for either two days per week (Monday/Tuesday or Thursday/Friday) or three days per week (Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday or Wednesday/Thursday/Friday) between the hours of 8.15am - 3.45pm.
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Our terms operate in line with NSW school terms. The preschool is not open on school holidays or public holidays.
Meals
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Meals are not provided by the preschool. Parents/Carers must pack morning tea and lunch each day.
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Educators will assist the children with their lunch boxes and positively encourage them to be self skilled at meal times in preparation for school.
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NCP promotes an allergy aware environment
