Bush Kindy Teaching

Do you offer training?

Absolutely! With over 13 years of experience delivering the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, and as a certified Cert IV Trainer and Assessor in Tertiary education, I offer a range of professional development options from onsite workshops to tailored online courses and personal mentoring. Read more..

What is Bush Kindy?

Bush Kindy refers to play-based learning for children in outdoor environments whereby interaction occurs between nature's loose parts, each other and Educators/Teachers. Bush Kindy can also be called - Bush Kindergarten, Bush Kinder, Nature Play, Forest Schooling, Nature Immersion or Beach Kindy. You can read more about my programs here, or read about what sets bush kindy apart at the blog post here.

Is there a Bush Kindy near me?

Currently I have 4 Bush Kindy sites - Daisy Hill, Loganholme, Bahrs Scrub and Eagleby, you can register your interest via the Contact form. I also often run sessions within early childhood settings, community groups and school forest areas too. Pop up nature play events, and school holiday programs also occur in different locations. I'm open to new locations and would love for you to Contact me to discuss.

What should my child wear?

For Bush Kindy Playgroups it is recommended to wear long-sleeved cotton shirt and pants, covered toe shoes, a wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent. On wet or muddy days, children can wear puddle pants/suits/rain jackets and gumboots if they wish.

Do you cancel in bad weather?

Yes, in cases where there's a chance of severe hail, electrical storms, or high winds. Most programs are given the option for a makeup session in these circumstances. Otherwise, the Bush Kindy programs run in all weather.

What happens at a bush play session?

Bush play sessions generally include loose parts play, arts and craft, nature exploration, sensory play (mud, sand, clay, water), maybe a small bush walk, exploration of plants and animals, group songs/story/puppet time. Risky play (fire and hand tools) is also offered where specified. You can read more about my programs here.

Do you use food in your play?

While I LOVE messy eating and allowing children to play with their food at meal times, Bush Kindy Teaching programs are designed to focus on nature related sensory and loose parts play. In addition to being a Forest School provider I have a strong focus on sustainability, so also aim to maintain a zero waste program. 

Why are some programs and events free?

Inline with the Bush Kindy Teaching philosophy to foster equal access to bush play for all communities, through the support of local organisations and funding opportunities I aim to make as many of my programs and events free. In 2024 we ran 138 free sessions, you can read more about this via the blog post here. If you would like to offer support, or sponsor future programs please Contact us.

How far will the mobile service travel?

I am based in Logan so the majority of the Bush Kindy programs are here and the surrounding areas. I do travel further afield such as Ipswich, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast etc. If you're interested in our offerings feel free to Contact us, as I'm open to discussing options to share nature play with as many as possible. 

Can you make the group sizes bigger?

Group sizes are specific to the location and Bush Kindy program or event. I assess each location and specify the number of families to maximise its unique offerings. Generally, groups with more than 20-30 families are more suited to pop-up events etc. School and OSHC group numbers can be extended dependent on ratio. 

Do your programs incorporate holiday themes?

As much as I love celebrating special occasions and cultural days throughout the year, Bush Kindy Teaching programs typically avoid specific themes. Following children's interests, seasonal changes and making observations allows the program to have more meaning and unique relevance, providing better support to those attending.

How do you cater for all abilities?

Please let me know before you attend if you or your child have particular requirements so we can ensure you feel relaxed and have easy access to our sessions. All Bush Kindy programs provide wheelchair access, shade, diverse play experiences, options for all abilities and ages. Nature offers a world of options to delight all senses. Nature also has no walls or annoying loud echoes so usually even the most noise sensitive person can enjoy the experience. 

Why is the program sometimes different every session?

I incorporate elements of unstructured play alongside intentional teaching moments. Participants have the option to continue the unstructured play or join in for a focussed moment to enjoy songs, stories, movement, exploring a particular topic of interest, or a cooking experience. This allows the children to lead the play, while also allowing opportunities to invite people together. 

How can I give my feedback?

Feel free to share your thoughts anytime through the Contact form. For families in my current Bush Kindy programs, I usually provide a link to participants every three months for anonymous feedback. Continuous growth and improvement is very important and I strive to improve with your knowledge and support. 

What ages are the programs and events catered for?

Unless specified on the bookings page, I embrace participants of all ages to our programs. I particularly enjoy welcoming grandparents, aunties, uncles and elders from the community.

Can I bring my pet?

Please inquire before bringing your pet, as some locations do not allow domestic animals, and we may have children in the group with allergies. 

Can I bring food for my family?

You're welcome to bring your own snacks! Please be mindful of taking your rubbish and leftover food when leaving.