Values built on our great structure, philosophy and history
Lyrebird Preschool is set up as a fun place to be and a great choice as a learning environment. We are a not-for-profit, community-based preschool where all your fees are used to benefit the children enrolled here. This means we’re lean on administrative staff and overheads, and rely a great deal on our parents to volunteer their time and talents to help keep us first-rate.
What our structure means
We are run by a Management Committee of the Lyrebird Preschool Association
Annual elections and appointments are made at an AGM
We regularly have fund-raising activities to supplement our fee revenues
Financial obligations are carefully managed by our qualified staff
Parent involvement is encouraged to promote a caring partnership
Resources are our first and foremost investment for a great pre-school facility
Qualified staff are employed with higher staff to children ratios.
Our child-centred program promotes playing, learning and growing together
How our philosophy defines us
We value, encourage and respect each person within our Lyrebird Preschool community
Every child, family and educator enrich us with their culture, knowledge and experience
We acknowledge the original custodians of this land
We are guided by a Code of Ethics, set up by Early Childhood Australia
We follow the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia in principle and practice
Children have a right to a rich, play-based learning environment
Families are a child’s first, foremost teacher and we respect their right to make decisions
Working in partnership with families develops genuine relationships and trust
Educators are co-learners with children, families, colleagues and the community
We offer extra support services to Aboriginal Families
Sustainability and environmental responsibility are practiced in our preschool
Learn More About Our Philosophy
At Lyrebird Preschool, we want our contributions to early childhood education and care to make a difference. Read more about what we believe: Download Our Philosophy.
Why our history means so much
It all started with Navy wives in the 1970s with only one pre-school in Nowra
Shoalhaven Council allocated our Jervis Street site to build a preschool
The original Lyrebird Preschool committee raised funds to build the preschool along with help from the Federal Government and local council
A Management Committee was elected in 1974 to help set up the Preschool
Lyrebird Preschool was built in under a year, opening on 16 August 1975
We now have 3rd generation, as children of children of the first children who started here
We continuously improve, add or expand facilities and resources when possible
In 2013 we were a Finalist in the Shoalhaven Business Awards,
Our large, natural outdoor playground was re-landscaped in 2017
With over 40 years of continuous operation, Lyrebird Preschool is one of the Shoalhaven’s oldest and most well-regarded pre-schools in the region.