SDN Melanie Alexander: Beginnings and endings

Melanie Alexander Nursery School was built as a demonstration centre with money provided by an anonymous benefactor. It opened on 18 September 1957 in the grounds of the Nursery School Teachers Colle...

Play works: Play through the years at SDN

There have been many changes to ECEC theory and practice since the beginnings of SDN. However, recognition of the importance of play for the wellbeing of children physically, emotionally and intellect...

Archival treasure unearthed from SDN Mosman

Our SDN Archives Officer Ben Woods has unearthed an interesting document, a Group Record Book, created by SDN Mosman educator Nancy Stern in 1963-1964.

House at Pooh Corner: What's in a name?

SDN Archives Officer Ben Woods went on a mission to the UNSW Archives to discover why the centres were named’ ‘House of Pooh Corner’, ‘Tigger’s Place’ and ‘Owl’s House’.

Sir Dr Charles Blackburn & SDN

The origins of the Sydney Day Nursery Association had at least as much to with concerns of child health and infant mortality as it did with broader aims of childhood care and education. The 1904 Royal...