Wetherill Park Pre School celebrates 40th anniversary

Wetherill Park Pre School, a family business which has educated and cared for more than 1000 children since it opened in 1980, recently celebrated the success of the business with a 40th birthday celebration. 

Opened by Carole West, the service is now hosting its second generation of students, with parents who attended the service in the 1980s and 1990s now returning to the centre with their own children. 

Carole and her mum Anne have been there from the beginning and have now been joined by Carole’s daughter, Cassie (Early Childhood Teacher) and husband Allan (Administrator) as integral parts of the team.

The service was born when Carole purchased a block of land in Longfellow Street, part of a newly released residential estate. With the support of her parents, Uncle and Aunt, Carole built the service “from the ground up”, banking on the estate filling with young families. 

While plans for a face to face celebration were put on hold as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, past and present families and staff were sent a collection of photos from over the years, and the children attending the service were treated to face painting, a jumping castle, treasure hunt, magic show and showbags. 

Speaking with local publication Fairfield City Champion, Carole thanked all the families and educators who have supported the preschool over the decades, offering “a big thank you” to the current team of educators whose energy, enthusiasm and teamwork “allow the centre to continue to deliver high quality child care.” 

“Not only do we feel fortunate to have been able to have a career doing what we love, but feel doubly-blessed to have our children, grandchildren and, in Anne’s case, great grandchildren attend the preschool.”

Further information about the service may be found here. To access the original coverage of this story, please see here.