Ellen Stevenson

Ellen Stevenson, of Hastings, received the Queen's Service Medal for services to kindergarten administration.  She was elected president of the Hastings Kindergarten Association in 1956, established the first kindergarten in Hastings and was involved in establishing several other early kindergartens.  The association, now known as the Heretaunga Kindergarten Association, has 15 established Kindergartens in the region.  She was also instrumental in getting kindergartens in the lower North Island to be levied and using the money to support the training of teachers at the Wellington Kindergarten Teachers' College.  Mrs Stevenson was also involved in lifting the benchmark of entry to train at the College and campaigned for the recognition of kindergarten teachers and an increase in their remuneration.