The Willscott Fund

Enid Wilson was described as both charming and outspoken during her illustrious career as a kindergarten professional and advocate for children. 

An early adopter of progressive kindergarten methods, she knew that children thrived in supportive, kind and play-based environments.

Born in 1896 in Western Australia, she grew up with a large family and many siblings. Her closest sister was Norma Linley, a well-known ballet teacher and national advocate for the ballet profession. Enid graduated as a kindergarten teacher in 1916 at the age of twenty. She spent her adult years teaching in both Australia and New Zealand settling in Wellington, a city that would become her lifelong home.

In 1928 she fulfilled a dream to become the Principal at the Wellington Free Kindergarten Association allowing her to fully pursue her passions in early childhood learning.  She was well respected within the kindergarten community and throughout her career, she fought to make improvements that would allow the children and sector to flourish.

Established in the memory of Enid Wilson and Ted Scott, the Willscott Fund supported the New Zealand School of Dance’s 2019 Graduation Season.

After her retirement in 1948, she travelled Australia with her friend, Ted (Edna) Scott visiting nurseries and bringing the best of the ideas back to Wellington. On her return home in 1950, Enid and Ted bought some land in Upper Hutt and created a market garden which they named "Willscott Gardens" -  merging their two surnames.  Here they grew and supplied fruit and vegetables to local residents and grew flowers for many important functions both in the valley and in Wellington city.

Later on, Enid and Ted decided to set up a Trust to support the causes they were passionate about, which is now managed by Nikau.  The Fund supports early childhood education, young people and because of her sister, Norma, the New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD).