Nestled at the end of a quiet road and surrounded by towering gum trees and the gentle hum of distant birdsong, an old, weathered cottage awaits. Once the humble home of a mine manager, it is now poised not just to be remembered, but to be reimagined. Inside this cottage lies a future filled with possibilities.

The Little School Preschool has always been more than just a place for learning; it has served as a sanctuary for childhood and a hub for families. However, our current space—cherished and filled with memories—can no longer accommodate the growing needs of the Illawarra community. We are unable to welcome every child who comes to our door, and those with mobility needs find it inaccessible. Furthermore, as development encroaches from all directions, the once-tranquil environment has been replaced with traffic and noise.

Just five minutes down the road, a new beginning awaits.

Nestled on a tranquil bushland property, secured through a rare peppercorn lease, this charming cottage offers us the chance to start anew. With your support, we will restore its heritage charm and transform it into a purpose-built preschool capable of accommodating 125 children each week—85 more than we can serve today.

Our design will prioritize inclusivity, welcoming children with developmental delays, autism, cultural, and other additional needs. We will ensure that every classroom, pathway, and playground is accessible to children of all abilities.

This is more than just a relocation; it’s a true transformation.

Children can participate in a dedicated bush kinder program, grow their own food through agricultural education, and connect with the land through Aboriginal and cultural programming. They will engage with elders from nearby Hammond Care in intergenerational programs, and families will have access to therapy services to support learning, development, and well-being.

This initiative is about more than just the building. It’s about providing children with a sense of belonging—a place where they can be seen, supported, and free to grow in their unique ways.

We aim to invest in a future where community means connection, and where a quiet old cottage transforms into a space filled with learning, laughter, love, and life.

Will you help us turn this vision into reality?

The Little School Preschool Inc. is a stand-alone, community-based, not-for-profit preschool with a proud legacy of championing inclusion.

Founded over 40 years ago by dedicated families and educators in the Illawarra, The Little School began as a grassroots initiative built on one simple, yet powerful belief: every child deserves a chance to belong. Housed in a heritage-listed cottage, it became a haven for children of all backgrounds and abilities, embracing the concept of inclusion long before it entered mainstream discussion.

Over the decades, our not-for-profit model, committed staff, and strong community partnerships have supported hundreds of children in their social, emotional, and developmental growth—laying the foundations not just for school readiness, but for life.

Our Mission at The Little School Preschool Inc. is to create a high-quality, holistic learning environment that allows each child and educator to reach their full potential.

We believe that early education should be a vibrant blend of play, purpose, nature, creativity, and connection. We strive to provide every child, regardless of ability, background, or circumstance, with a joyful, inclusive, and empowering start to life.

Our Vision is to be the leading facilitator of inclusive education in the Illawarra, setting a new standard for early learning that is compassionate, community-oriented, and grounded in the belief that every child has the right to belong, learn, and shine.

At The Little School Preschool Inc., nature is not just a backdrop; it serves as a teacher. Our children engage with their environment among orchards, edible gardens, worm farms, and frog habitats.

They learn how to care for animals, explore sensory gardens, and play in open spaces. Committed to sustainability, we provide a unique and enriching hands-on experience with the natural world every single day.

Our current facility is: In a heritage-listed building that is not suitable for inclusive access. It has become increasingly costly and restrictive due to space limitations. Additionally, it has been negatively impacted by growing residential development and traffic.

A Scalable, Inclusive, and Sustainable Early Learning Model

Transforming a heritage-listed site into a future-focused preschool that meets the needs of today’s families and tomorrow’s community. The inclusive early learning facility will provide measurable, social, educational, and economic returns.

Heritage Restoration with Purpose:

- Adaptive reuse of the Mine Manager’s Cottage

- Preserves local history while creating a vital community asset

- Operates under a rare peppercorn lease in a peaceful bushland setting

Expanding Access to Early Education

- Increase weekly capacity by 85 additional placements, allowing The Little School to serve up to 125 children per week

- Targeted expansion of 600-hour preschool placements for 3–5-year-old children from equity backgrounds, addressing local demand and supporting school readiness

- Purpose-built inclusive design ensures full physical accessibility for children with disabilities and complex support needs

- Removes existing access barriers, providing high-quality early education to families who have previously been excluded due to physical, financial, or developmental challenges

Children's Development & Wellbeing

- Safe, engaging learning spaces designed to support developmental milestones

- Fully accessible indoor and outdoor areas for children with disabilities and mobility needs

- Nature-based play: sandpits, gardens, bush kinder trails to foster creativity, physical health, and social skills

- Health-focused renovations: removal of asbestos and environmental hazards for safer learning environments

Family Support & Community Connection

- Improved infrastructure: accessible parking, walkways, and entry points for families

- Enables working parents to return to the workforce with trusted, high-quality early childhood education

- Strengthens community identity: preserving heritage while modernizing for today’s needs

- Encourages family involvement: space for parent workshops, events, and shared learning experiences

Long-Term Educational & Social Impact

- Lays strong foundations for children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development—critical for school readiness

- Provides equitable access to quality early education for children of all abilities and backgrounds

- Models sustainable development by adaptively reusing a heritage-listed site to meet modern community needs

- Creates a nurturing, inclusive environment that strengthens families and fosters long-term social cohesion

Measurable Economic and Community Impact

- Delivers high Social Return on Investment (SROI) through improved long term outcomes for children and families

- Supports future earning potential: Children who attend early education are more likely to complete higher education and earn more over their lifetime

- Reduces public costs by lowering demand for special education and remedial support through early intervention

- Enables parents to work—increasing household income and boosting local economic productivity

- Generates local jobs in construction, childcare, education, and support services

- Strengthens the local economy by supporting small businesses and increasing property and infrastructure value in the community

Future-Ready Learning Beyond the Classroom

The renovated preschool will support a wide range of high-impact, inclusive programs that are built into the physical design and operational model of the new site, ensuring sustainability, access, and community value well into the future.

- Bush kinder program: Immerses children in nature based learning, promoting resilience, curiosity, and sensory development

- Agricultural education: Hands-on experiences with edible gardens, orchards, and animal care foster responsibility, environmental stewardship, and life skills

- Aboriginal and cultural programs: Celebrate identity, diversity, and cultural inclusion through dedicated learning experiences and community engagement

- On-site therapy services: Provide accessible support for children with developmental delays, disabilities, and complex learning needs

- Intergenerational program with Hammond Care: Facilitates meaningful connection between children and aged care residents, enhancing empathy and community connection

- Native habitat creation: Supports local biodiversity and offers children ongoing opportunities to care for and learn from living ecosystems

- “Share Our Space” initiative: Opens outdoor learning environments to local families outside of preschool hours, strengthening social connection and community use