Bush Kindy

Nature Play, Bush Kindy and Outdoor Education

Here at Everton Park Child Care and Development Centre we provide a unique opportunity for children to play in nature, in all weather, without ever having to leave the centre.

Research has found that outdoor, unstructured play is crucial for brain development. Children need to remain active throughout the day for their brains to develop effectively. Hands on learning in a natural environment along with using loose parts in play stimulates children’s senses and creates connections in the brain required for critical thinking, problem solving and overall mental health and wellbeing.

Our Outdoor Space

Our Outdoor environment is quite unique, boasting a large array of shady trees, natural grass with decorative native gardens, vegetable gardens, chicken house, a digging patch/fire pit, a covered sand pit, as well as a yarning circle, with smaller spaces throughout the yard for quiet reflection, and many opportunities for climbing and other physical activities. The space is managed by our Outdoor Educator and supported by all other members of the team. We have our family of hens who have free roaming opportunities throughout the day. The children have named the hens, and they are an integral part of our community.

This environment has been designed to promote nature play which can be described as unstructured free play in a natural setting. Every day the children are free to explore the environment finding natural resources to use in their play, discover animals and insects that share our space, create unique play scenarios based on their ideas, and enjoy the freedom of being a child in a natural space. The use of loose parts has become the norm in our outdoor areas as children create, build and move about the playground. Commercially produced toys have no place in our outdoor environment.

Nature Play

We recognise the need for children to participate in physical activity, and we have explored many ways to include a wide variety that enhance children’s brain development. These activities provide the children with the opportunity to participate in Adventurous play, providing a safe place to encounter uncertainty and unpredictability. Here the children develop their negotiation and collaboration skills whilst meeting physical challenges guided by their own limitations and supported by the team.

All these experiences help build concentration, balance, risk assessment, perseverance, self-confidence and fun. We are so very proud of all the children of Everton Park Child Care Centre and that they leave with confidence and resilience when transitioning to the more formal school years.

We share a commitment to a sustainable future to ensure our future generations can enjoy and benefit from the environment for years to come.