The Katoomba Nursery School was officially opened to great fanfare by then Federal Treasurer Ben Chifley* on 19 February 1944. It opened to children the previous October and the 1944 SDN annual report notes that “since its inauguration the school has shown marked progress and has, in every way, justified its establishment”.

The federal government received much criticism during most of World War II for not providing funds for day nurseries when there was a huge need due to thousands of fathers being away at war and many more mothers in the workforce compared to peace time.

According to the aforementioned annual report the Katoomba Nursery School was the first “country centre” to be opened in Australia with a federal grant subsidy of £430. An SDN centre was established the same year at Kingsford thanks to the federal government and the Erskineville Nursery School was also subsidised this way for a time.

A need was idenified at Katoomba because many local mothers were employed at the Lithgow Small Arms factory which has an amazing history in itself. It is still in fact operating.

The Katoomba Nursery School operated from premises at 36 Parke St, Katoomba (now a Petbarn) and required signigficant renovations before it was suitable as a nursery school. For a start, new bathrooms were built, the verandahs glassed in, and a playground was established.

The Katoomba Nursery School was closed in 1963 because the building was still sub standard and needed constant upkeep. Also, the 1963 SDN annual report noted that “there were few really needy people in the [Katoomba] area, and very little local support”.

The property acquired by SDN at Katoomba was sold.

*Ben Chifley was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1945 to 1949.

Caption: From left- Ben Chifley (Federal Treasurer, later Prime Minister), Mrs Apthorp, Mrs Gailey, Bil Freelander (Mayor), Mrs Donalda McElone MBE (Association President), Joseph Jackson MP and Professor A P Elkin.

Caption: Katoomba Nursery School in 1960 visited by 2nd year Students NSTC. Maureen Smart (far right) standing next to Director Mildred Cookson. Elizabeth Read and Jennifer Barrett are also in the photograph which was taken by Alison Colvin.

Caption: Katoomba Nursery School circa 1945-146. Children Lorainne and Raymond. When a child had a birthday the nursery would have a party for all the children.