ECEC Provider in Focus: Apples & Honey Preschool

Apples & Honey Preschool is located in Chatswood, New South Wales, and is a not-for-profit 39 place centre that has been serving the community for over 40 years.

The service operates 8am until 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am until 4pm on Fridays, 50 weeks of the year.

What is the history of Apples & Honey Preschool?

Apples & Honey Preschool was established with funds donated by Jack Hannes and Eva Holmes and is dedicated to the memory of their parents, Martin and Emma Hannes.  The centre was officially opened on August 23, 1981 by the Mayor of Willoughby, Alderman Jack Donnelly. 

In 1995, the name of the centre was changed to North Shore Temple Emanuel (Martin and Emma Hannes) Preschool to more accurately reflect the Jewish background of the school. 

Maurice Linker donated funds in memory of his parents Bernard and Fanny Linker. These funds were used to refurbish the service playground. 

In 2015, the centre became a preschool and long-day care centre and to mark this significant transition, the centre’s name was changed to Apples & Honey Preschool. 

The preschool has been privileged to enjoy the hard work and dedication of many long-serving staff members. Their nurturing warmth has shaped the atmosphere of the preschool and inspires students and staff today. 

What is the Apples & Honey Preschool vision and approach to learning?

The service celebrates children’s capacity to learn, relate and shape their own stories on a daily basis, through play, friendship and learning encounters. 

Using a stimulating play-based program children are encouraged to explore, investigate, contemplate, problem-solve and reflect on their world. 

Each week includes music, dance and yoga, and the daily programs reflect a calm, relaxed and exploratory environment for growing and learning, especially through natural environments, which means lots of time is spent outdoors in a beautiful natural setting.  

Apples & Honey is an inclusive, community based preschool providing children with quality, meaningful and inspiring education in a multicultural and progressive environment. 

The preschool community is diverse, and welcomes children and families from all cultures, religions and nationalities. 

Apples & Honey has educators that are Filipino, Australian, Chinese, Israeli, Belgium, South African and Polish, and the children learn Mandarin as a second language.   

Are there any unique aspects to the Apples & Honey Preschool offer? 

The service offers a Jewish Early Learning program interwoven into the curriculum covering topics such as Shabbat, Chanukah, Passover, Purim, Tu Bish’vat, Rosh Hashanah, and Sukkot.

To learn more about Apples & Honey Preschool please visit the service website, here.