I often get asked how we manage to keep our Bush Kindy programs free for families across Logan and beyond, the answer lies in the strength of our community partnerships. What started as a single program at Daisy Hill has grown into something beautiful across South-East Queensland, showing what's possible when community truly connects.
Our Story of Growing Together
1. Finding Special Places
We start by getting to know our local green spaces. We seek out areas that are safe, accessible, and rich in natural play and learning opportunities, yet currently underutilised. Through our programs, these spaces transform into vibrant community hubs where families gather, play, learn and connect with nature.
In Logan, this approach led us to discover gems like Daisy Hill Conservation Park, with its established bushwalking trails and natural play spaces; Alexander Clark Park in Loganholme, offering riverside wonder and play opportunities; and Bronzewing Park in Bahrs Scrub. Each location provides its own unique natural environment perfect for outdoor play, learning and discovery.
2. Learning from Community
Before launching any program, we immerse ourselves in the local community. Through conversations at community events and local gatherings, we develop a deep understanding of each area's unique needs and aspirations. We uncover the barriers preventing families from accessing nature play, identify existing local resources, and build connections with community leaders and stakeholders.
3. Growing Together
We've grown alongside three key sectors, each bringing unique strengths and perspectives to our nature play work:
Local Councils
Our partnership with Logan City Council shows how local government and community can grow together. Beginning with a shared vision for accessible nature play education, we've worked together to activate green spaces across the city. The Council's support extends beyond simply providing locations – they've become true partners in creating opportunities for families to connect through nature play.
In 2024, our expansion into Ipswich demonstrates how our proven nature play model adapts to new communities. Working with Ipswich City Council, we're bringing nature play groups to their region, tailoring our approach to local needs while maintaining our core commitment to quality and accessibility.
Not-for-Profit Partners
Kingston East Neighbourhood Group (KENG) holds a special place in our story. Their early support in 2021 helped start the first free Bush Kindy program at Daisy Hill, setting the foundation for everything that followed. KENG's continued partnership, including their Helping Hand Grant, has been instrumental in our growth and development.
Our ongoing collaboration with KENG has deepened our community connections and enhanced our understanding of local needs. Together, we've created pathways for families who might otherwise miss out on nature play-based learning opportunities.
Business Partners
Frasers Property's support of our Bahrs Scrub location shows how businesses can be part of community growth through nature play. Their commitment has helped us create a thriving program that serves families in the rapidly growing southern corridor of Logan. The playgroup complements their suite of community offerings in Bahrs Scrub, creating a comprehensive approach to community engagement.
Our partnership with Camp Australia shows how working together opens new doors. Together, we're bringing nature play to more families across South-East Queensland through their holiday programs, reaching communities in different ways while staying true to our vision of accessible outdoor play.
4. Being There Rain or Shine
Trust is earned through reliability - we run our nature play programs rain or shine. This reliability builds trust with everyone involved. Our professional facilitation ensures every session offers meaningful play-based learning experiences, while our commitment to cultural sensitivity and inclusivity creates a welcoming environment for all families.
5. Sharing Our Journey
We think it's important to share our story openly. With 138 nature play sessions delivered in 2024, our regular reporting goes beyond simple attendance numbers to tell the fuller story of our impact. We track how our play-based programs influence children's development, strengthen family connections, and build community bonds. These insights help our partners understand the real value of their support in nature play education.
Through this approach, we've created a sustainable model that delivers free, high-quality nature play while building stronger, more connected communities. As we look to the future, we're evolving to meet growing demand for nature play expertise. While expanding our offerings to support educators and organisations across Australia, we remain firmly anchored in our community roots. This dual focus allows us to amplify our impact - empowering educators with skills and knowledge in nature play while maintaining our commitment to accessible community programs.
Our success shows that when communities, organisations, and businesses come together with a shared vision, we can create lasting positive change. By sharing our expertise in nature play while preserving our grassroots community programs, we're working to ensure more children can benefit from quality play-based learning experiences in nature. We're grateful to all our partners who share our belief in the power of nature play to transform lives and build stronger communities.
