Our History

During the Korean Campaign 1950 - 1953 Bambi Kindergarten came into being after wives of servicemen formed a support group to assist each other while their partners were on active service in Korea.

Since 1952 the kindergarten opened its doors to the children of defence force and civilian families, reflecting Bambi's importance as a meeting place for our community.

Bambi Kindergarten began as a "one room" building with a second room being added on several years later. In 1988 Bambi acquired another building and this became our library. With the employment of trained staff and the implementation of programmed activities, the kindergarten has become licensed as a pre school by the Department of Community Services. Originally Bambi was a sessional kindergarten open for children four mornings (with Monday morning being used for staff preparation) and five afternoons.

As the needs of the community changed so did Bambi.

In 1981 two full days (Thursday & Friday) of pre school for children in one room opened up. By the mid 80's full days were introduced across the centre in response to family needs.

Bambi Kindergarten was accredited as a "centre of excellence" with the Australian Early Childhood Association's pilot accreditation program in 1993 - being the first centre in the area to be recognised as such. This reputation has taken the dedication and persistence of the staff and families over many years to develop, upgrade and maintain the centre to such a degree.

In 1997 a memorial plaque, for 22 soldiers reported "Missing in Action" during the Korean War (1950-1953), was unveiled by the honourable Bronwyn Bishop, the current Minister for Defence, Industry, Science & Personnel. The plaque honours the 22 soldiers whose bodies were never recovered and now remain in graves somewhere in the Korean battlefields.

The play area is one of Bambi's most outstanding features, being greatly admired by all visitors and a great asset to the growth and development of our young children with its established gardens and shade trees. This was recognised by Campbelltown Council's Garden Competition - Bambi being highly commended in "Best Educational Facility" category.

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Ingleburn Military Camp began to close in the 1990's. Whilst defence force families moved out of the area, Bambi Kindergarten continued to operate for civilian families. Bambi's reputation as a high quality early childhood service has spread throughout the area so that we have families travelling from Liverpool in the North down to St Helen’s Park in the South, Five Dock in the East across to Harrington Park in the West.

Bambi was voted the proud winner in the 1997 Macarthur Small Business Awards.

In 2001 Bambi again saw a need for change. We could no longer afford to operate for children on Mondays as demand was low and Bambi was forced to reduce to four days - Tuesday to Friday.

On the 19^th May 2002 Bambi celebrated its 50^th Anniversary with an afternoon tea. Past families, children and staff were invited, with a special guest and ex student, Councillor Steven Chaytor from Campbelltown City Council.

A “Community Action Group” was formed in 2003 to represent Bambi in its campaign to remain on our current premises with the proposed development of Edmondson Park. Our Community Action Group comprises of ex management committee members who lobby council and local politicians.

In 2004 the preschool introduced the “Emergent Curriculum” program, allowing children to freely explore their learning environment.

Our hours of operation were extended from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, offering a longer pre school day catering to the needs of our community. We were pleased to offer our service to two year old children, initially for one day per week increasing to two days (Monday and Tuesday), which opened a new chapter in the history of Bambi. Whilst our future remained uncertain, Bambi was able to reopen five days - Monday to Friday and continues to offer a high quality pre school early childhood education to children in our community.

Bambi was again winner in the 2005 Macarthur Chronicle Small Business Awards under the “Specialised Business” category.

Campbelltown City Council presented Bambi Kindergarten with the “Jubilee Award” in 2007 for its recognition of our service to the community for over 50 years.

Due to the high demand for younger children requiring a preschool service, in 2008 Bambi found it necessary to open an additional day for two year old children on a Wednesday. This year, the Emergent Curriculum blended with a child focused learning program, allowing for staff to plan and document for the individual strengths and needs of each child.

As part of Bambi’s vision and philosophy, we pride ourselves in offering and encouraging children of all abilities to attend our centre as we are able to accommodate every child’s needs. This includes provision of an Additional Needs Support Teacher who works in conjunction with the families and outside agencies, to provide a personalised program for these children.

Through the efforts of Management Committee and staff, we continue to remain a preschool of excellence, valued by educational institutions, by offering work experience to local high schools and practicum placement for students at TAFE and university.

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In 2010 – Bambi Kindergarten continue to remain on a yearly lease with the Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Defence). With the proposed sale of the old Ingleburn Military Camp, further negotiations will continue with Landcom to explore opportunities to remain part of the new Edmondson Park South development.

On 1^st September 2011 – land was sold to the State Government and Landcom (as part of the settlement) honoured our lease extension to December 2012. Local residents in low income housing were given notice to leave and development of the railway line from Glenfield to Leppington commenced. The “Save” Bambi committee continue to lobby for the preschool to remain on its current location and also explore various alternatives with Campbelltown Council and Ingleburn North Public School for relocation options.

In May 2012 Bambi Kindergarten celebrated 60 years of service to the community. Landcom approved an extension to our lease which will expire on 20^th December 2013. The sub committee, Bambi Action Group, held meetings with Campbelltown Council regarding donation of land for the possible relocation of the centre. Bambi was approved for endorsement as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) for the sole purpose of obtaining monitory gifts from the community to assist with the construction of new buildings, etc.

In 2013 Bambi are working alongside Campbelltown City Council and Urban Growth (formerly known as Landcom) to secure a new site for the kindergarten. A Development Application has been lodged for approval. The kindergarten is seeking community support through funds, equipment, supplies, discounts, fixtures, fittings etc. Through a government “one off” initiative funding, fees for four year old children were reduced to $20 per day.

2014 - “Class Groups” were again introduced (Possum & Platypus on Monday and Tuesday, Emu & Kangaroo on Wednesday and Koala & Kookaburra on Thursday and Friday). Our Lease has been extended pending the commencement of a new building being constructed by Campbelltown City Council.

Management Committee, Bambi Action Group and Staff have been working with Shannon Kerr (existing Parent) to explore options for landscaping at the new premises. Landscaping plans were lodged with council and submitted with the DA earlier this year.

On Friday 22^nd August, Bambi Kindergarten received a notice from Urban Growth (Landcom) that the DA for the new Bambi Kindergarten building is with Council and they expect imminent approval. The bulk earthworks DA has been approved and works are scheduled to commence immediately. Detailed architectural plans are also underway for the new kindergarten building.

A lease extension was also given to Bambi Kindergarten until 30 June 2015 (currently our lease was to expire in December 2014).

This year Bambi Management decided to have a “pupil free” day at the conclusion of the preschool year and instead of Family Night celebrated with the Family Fun Day.

2015- Bambi extended its services to the community by commencing an Early Intervention Service for children who have an additional need. This service offers an intensive 3 hour session with a Special Education Teacher and an aide, to support the growing development of children with an additional need.

Parent/child playgroup also commenced for children who are 2 on or before July 31^st and 3 years of age. This is a two hour session which allows children and families the opportunity to explore preschool without being enrolled on a full-time basis.

Management Committee reviewed our current logo and after asking our children and their siblings to draw a “Bambi”, it was decided to register a new logo as a trade mark and add some colour.

In 2016 – Following “turning of the sod” on 4^th May 2016, work commenced on the new “purpose built” preschool, the street address is “1 Arthur Allen Drive, Bardia”. A new logo and letterhead format was developed following a competition between currently enrolled children and their siblings.

Bambi no longer enrols 2 year old children. All children must be a minumin of 3 years old and toilet trained.

On 4^th October 2016 Bambi was given access to commence relocating. A Licence Agreement was signed with Urban Growth for two years at a nominal rent of $5,000 per annum. “Open Day” for currently enrolled children, new interested families and special guests was held on 13^th October. Bambi continue, however, to offer a preschool service from Stevens Road in Term 4, pending set up at the new site.

Campbelltown City Council advised they will not continue with further negotiations for a Licence Agreement with Bambi regarding reduced Capital rent and have informed the Management Committee of their intention to offer occupancy of the new premises through a “tender” process commencing 2019.

In 2017, Bambi Kindergarten opened its doors at the new premises on 1 Arthur Allen Drive, Bardia. The centre opened at full capacity for 4 year old children and near fill capcity for 3 year old children. Management Committee will attempt to continue negotiations with Council or alternatively look to relocate again from 2019.

We continue to rely heavily on the support of families and the community to maintain a high quality early childhood preschool service. Bambi Kindergarten is licensed for 40 children per day, aged 3 to 5 years

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