The Full Story
About
OUR BUSH KINDER PROGRAM
Mission
WHY TAKE THE CLASSROOM OUTDOORS?
Bush Kinder is a fantastic place for children to run, jump, explore, problem solve and learn. Research shows that children that learn outdoors can self-regulate better, show improved social skills, motor skills and physical health, develop resilience, self-awareness, self-esteem and independence.
OUR ROLE
Early education services are uniquely placed to re invite nature into the lives of young children by taking the learning outdoors. Bush kinder allows children to engage in a variety of activities, scenarios and demonstrations not typically available in the classroom.
Spending time in our outdoors, helps children connect with nature, by doing this it builds the future generation of advocates and custodians for our world.
Vision
LINKS TO THE EARLY YEARS FRAMEWORK
IDENTITY: Children develop a sense of security with familiarity. Yackandandah Kindergarten provides regular sessions of outdoor learning that helps children build and explore their identity.
COMMUNITY: Through firsthand experiences children develop an awareness of their impact on the local environment and get involved in caring for nature.
WELLBEING: Regular contact with nature relives children’s minds and ignites curiosity. Outdoor environment allows children to expand and refine their abilities, mentally and physically.
LEARNING: Ever changing outdoor environment invite hypothesising, imagination, interaction, problem solving and experimenting.
COMMUNICATION: Children love to share stories, use natural resources to create art and interact with others and their surroundings to create music.
NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS
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Outdoor play promotes children’s agency, enables them to make decisions and influence their world. Quality Standard 1
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Learning outdoors promotes children’s health, through relaxation, physical activities and spontaneous experiences. Quality Standard 2
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By encouraging children to spend time in a natural outdoor environment they have the opportunity for independent exploration and to participate in real life projects and care for the environment they life in. Quality Standard 3
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Routinely taking children outdoor supports them to manage their own behaviour, teamwork and communicate effectively to problem solve. Quality Standard 5
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“Contact with nature is critical for our physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing. It has positive effects on our ability to concentrate, learn, solve problems, relax and create “
Yackandandah
Kindergarten
Nurturing our Future
Since 1975