Early Childhood Education Program

Mini Maddern was a collaboration between Victoria University, Maribyrnong City Council and Public Realm Lab Architects in Maddern Square, Footscray. Victoria University staff and students ran a pop-up play space in the square for 12 weeks in 2021.

Mini Maddern gave early childhood pre-service teachers the opportunity to complete professional placement in a community setting, connecting with families and children. The success of this playspace has led to the planning of a similar space at the VU Footscray Nicholson Campus.

Mini Maddern in the news:

• Children to take over Footscray's Maddern Square 
• QA with Public Realm, the brainchild behind Mini Maddern 
• Kids flock to the new play space, Mini Maddern in Footscray

Over a 6-week period in 2022, Victoria University and Moreland Council partnered to create a pop-up playspace within the newly developed Coburg Courtyard.

This pop-up was activated through a Playwork lens, offering children opportunities to engage with a variety of loose parts. Children were given the chance to explore, experiment, construct, deconstruct and express curiosity in an urban environment. The pop-up was activated by VU pre-service teachers on placement, who supported and facilitated the space.

This pop-up play space at Victoria University Footscray Nicholson Campus provides a place for community to gather, for children to play and parents and carers to meet.

Pre-service teachers will be given the opportunity to complete placement time at the site. This offers them a unique and highly valuable experience connecting with children, families and community while also arming them with skills in Playwork.