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Former Prahran, South Yarra and Toorak Creche

Other Name

Prahran, South Yarra and Toorak Crèche Society, former

Location

17 Princes Close Prahran, STONNINGTON CITY

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/2]
Prahran Creche
[2/2]
Prahran Creche

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The former Prahran, South Yarra and Toorak Crèche ('Prahran Creche'), 17 Princes Close, Prahran. This two-storey red brick building of 1913 has roughcast render accents and a decorative tiled roof. The entrance is on the side, while the facade is ornamented with decorative aprons to the ground-floor windows and oriels with leadlights above. There is an impressive mature Sycamore tree in the rear yard.

The upper-storey extension at the rear and the L-shaped wing on the east side of the site are not significant.

How is it significant?
The Prahran Crèche is of regional significance historically, architecturally and socially to metropolitan Melbourne.

Why is it significant?
The Prahran Crèche is historically significant for its association with the nascent infant welfare movement in the late nineteenth and early to mid-twentieth centuries. It was an innovative response to the needs of working women and their children. The establishment and operation of the creche by middle and upper class women illustrates the philanthropic thinking of the time with regard to working class women and their children. The Prahran Crèche was the second to be opened in metropolitan Melbourne (the first in the City of Stonnington), and the first in metropolitan Melbourne to have purpose-built premises. It has been operating in the same location since 1890. (Criteria A & B)

The 1913 building itself is architecturally significant as the first purpose-built crèche or day nursery constructed in metropolitan Melbourne. The Prahran Crèche is representative of an early twentieth century welfare institution. Its architectural form, with simple lines and domestic-type finishes and detailing which give a homely character to an institutional building meant to serve young children. (Criterion D)

Historically for its associations with the two honourary architects: Ernest H Willis and William Calder. Willis was a Prahran local, who designed a number of local landmark buildings, including the Prahran Club, Prahran Mechanics' Institute, Fawkner Mansions - early flats, and the Prahran Creche. He was also very involved in local political and community organisations. He was a member of the Prahran City Council (1908-20), serving as Mayor in 1913-14 and 1918-19. William Calder was the Prahran Council engineer and building surveyor from 1897 to 1913. He is best known in his role as chairman of the Country Roads Board, following his time at Prahran. The Calder Highway is named after him. (Criterion H)

The Prahran Crèche is of social significance for its continuous use as a local centre for child care and welfare since 1890 in this location and since 1913 in the present building. Countless local residents have entrusted their children to this crèche, or been cared in it themselves, leading to high recognition of the facility to the local community. (Criterion G)

Group