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Kōrero: Early childhood education and care

Early childcare services: Wellington Railway Station crèche

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Early childcare services: Wellington Railway Station crèche

A purpose-built crèche was located on the top of the Wellington Railway Station between 1937 and 1941. It catered for the children of women coming into Wellington to shop and keep appointments. It cost threepence per hour and parents needed to show a public transport ticket before they could use the service. Some bought a ticket even if they didn't need to travel – the convenience afforded by the crèche was well worth the price of an unused ticket. The crèche closed in 1941 because the station rooftop was needed for war purposes. It did not re-open. In this photograph a staff member checks on a baby in the nursery section.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: AAVK W3493 C786

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Kerryn Pollock, Early childhood education and care – Early education and care, late 19th to mid-20th centuries, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/32057/early-childcare-services-wellington-railway-station-creche (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Kerryn Pollock, i tāngia i te 23 March 2012.