Byron Bay Preschool
The Preschool comprises of two high-quality non-profits, community-based early childhood education centres in Byron Bay. We pride ourselves on delivering responsive innovative programs in which every child will thrive. Our Cavanbah Centre recently received the ‘Exceeding Rating’ across every single element, standard and area in the National Quality Standards, placing the preschool in the top 5% of early childhood centres nationally.
Our preschools achieved an ‘outstanding’ rating in the 2022 Kindercare awards, only 2% of early childhood centres achieved this rating. We are proud to have provided Byron Bay’s children with exceptional early childhood 
education since 1976.
Our mission statement and philosophy
“Our children become life-long learners; resilient and valued members of our community.”
As a result of attending Byron Bay Preschool, children will:
- Be resilient and have a strong sense of self
- Embrace diversity
- Be enthusiastic learners
- Have a sense of happiness and safety
- Be part of families who feel supported
- Have the ability to sustain meaningful relationships
- Feel part of the wider community
Values
Children, families, staff, management, community partners and funding bodies can expect the following from Byron Bay Preschool:
Professional Integrity
- Maintaining confidentiality and respecting privacy
- Upholding teamwork and community collaboration
- Commitment to high quality service and continuous improvement
- Practice based on sound theoretical and practical knowledge
Support
- Safe, happy, welcome, and stable environment
- Responsiveness to individual needs
- Listening carefully and responding sensitively
- Opportunity for optimum growth
Respect
- Acknowledgement of the traditional owners of this land
- Honoring of individuality, dignity and diversity
- Open and honest communication
- Valuing the experience and perspective of others
Learning Through Play
- Spontaneous, interactive and experiential practice
- Provision of a stimulating, social, playful setting
- Co-construction of knowledge
- Promotion of autonomy and initiative
- Promotion of self-worth and citizenship
Our team
The people working with your children are the most important element in your child having a relaxed, interesting and positive preschool experience.
Our team of highly qualified and experienced staff is committed to providing a safe and encouraging environment for children to make the most of their preschool day. All groups are lead by an experienced university qualified early childhood teacher.
With a combination of University Teaching Degrees in Early Childhood Education, Diplomas and Certificates in Children’s Services with many years of experience, the educators at Byron Bay Preschool offer a very high quality play based program and nurturing environment for your child.
Bridget Isichei
Nominated Supervisor Director
Early Childhood Teacher
Reconciliation Action Plan
We acknowledge the Arakwal people, the traditional custodians of this land where we live, play and learn.
Byron Bay Preschool has developed a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to build a deeper connection with and understanding of the traditional owners of Byron Bay’s land and sea; the Arakwal, Bundjalung people.
Reconciliation Action Plan
We acknowledge the Arakwal people, the traditional custodians of this land where we live, play and learn.
Byron Bay Preschool has developed a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to build a deeper connection with and understanding of the traditional owners of Byron Bay’s land and sea; the Arakwal, Bundjalung people.
History of Byron Bay Preschool
‘Jonson Street’ preschool, as our Coogera centre was first known, was founded in the mid 1950s. Thirty years later, after considerable fundraising and a small grant, the Cavanbah centre was built from mud bricks made by the community on crown land. It opened in 1986, and in 2010, ‘Jonson Street’ was renamed Coogera and relocated to Suffolk Park . The Coogera centre is part of the Suffolk Park Integrated Children’s Centre, providing a variety of early childhood related services such as play group and parenting groups to the community.
