Established on the 7th of July, in 1943, the Canberra Pre-School Society Incorporated (formerly the Canberra Nursery Kindergarten Society) has assisted 100's of thousands of parents and thousands of early childhood educators in very practical ways. Often operating "behind the scenes" - the CPS is made up of parent volunteer members - supported by a single part time salaried Executive Officer.

The CPS is a parent-driven entity. One that has worked hard to ensured that Canberra's Government Preschool Program remains - affordable, accessible, equitable and of an outstanding quality - not seen anywhere else in Australia.

If your child is enrolled in preschool this year - be sure to participate in the Preschool Parent Association and to attend the CPS General Meetings. This ensures that your PARENT voice is heard across Canberra, at Government and Departmental executive levels and, where appropriate, nationally.

Want to make a lasting difference for your own AND every ACT preschool child?

As a parent-driven entity - the CPS cannot operate without it's Council. In fact, the CPS Council is the ONLY territory-wide parent voice in pre-school education in Canberra. A voice that speaks directly to the Education Minister and the Chief Executive Officer of the ACT Department of Education and Training! PLUS - The term of office is for only for a single year!

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

Be at the CPS Annual General Meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of March at 7:30pm

and stand for a CPS Council position!

Our Mission Statement
To assist parents to have an active role in all preschools within the ACT – ensuring that all preschools remain high quality, accessible and equitable.

Our Vision
To be a strong effective voice of the parents of pre-school children in the ACT.

Our Aims
The objectives of the Society, which include its role as a peak body, are given in the Constitution:

• Promote community interest in pre-school education
  
• Promote an understanding of pre-school education
• Advocate, advise and assist pre-school education facilitators in the establishment and conduct of preschools and like institutions
• Be the peak body of Preschool Parent Associations in the Territory and of other community-based organisations in the Territory which are affiliated as Group Members
• Engage with community, government and other organisations and persons on purposes related to these objects
• Represent in any appropriate forums the views of the Society on matters related to these objects.

Our organisation's context
In the Aims listed above, “pre-school” or “pre-school education” is taken to mean the formal and informal learning environment of children up to the age of 5 years (after which compulsory education commences), and the institutions established to provide such education.

Together, we believe that pre-schools
... offer parents a choice in early childhood care and education.
... offer a community-based transition into formal schooling.
... provide parents with an opportunity to build community networks.
... provide early access to qualified early childhood educators.

The CPS Office is open two days a week - please phone [6286 2527] if you are intending to drop in - to ensure that there is someone there to assist you!

The CPS webmaster (a volunteer parent) has corrected the download links within the Handover Manual. The short version of the Handover Manual has also been updated and the download link checked. The CPS Council apologises for the inconvenience to its membership.

For urgent enquiries please do not hesitate to contact the CPS Office: canberrapreschools@bigpond.com.

The CPS Council wish to invite you to a CPS Orientation Meeting on the 23rd of February. Come and hear about how the CPS makes a difference to your child's preschool education - through bringing parents together and through supporting the Preschool Parent Association's role.

If you like our new look website - be sure to let us know. If you have an idea for how we can make it better - please let us know that too!