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Bush Kinder

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Yarra Warra Preschool and Bush Kinder is the only preschool that has an on-site dedicated bush kinder in Melbourne.  One of the first of its kind in Australia, this bush kinder in Warrandyte has offered a bush preschool since 2013.

 

Our bush kinder program offers seasonal play activities all year round.  Our bush play space is a fenced terrain with hilly and flat learning areas where children can explore and learn about our natural environment and sustainability, and gain an understanding of our ecosystem.  

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In bush kinder, the children’s activities are highly influenced by the natural environment and that day’s conditions in our bush block.  Boots and raincoats are always available as the learning does not stop for rainy weather.  In bush kinder, children may be directed to specific tasks relating closely to their outdoor environment or the educators may lead a skills session such as fire safety.  Open-ended tasks inspired by books and discussions are also often executed in our bush block, resulting in lots of observations of nature and constructions.  There is always time for free play, so the children can satisfy their need to climb, crawl, create or muddy up.

 

EXPERIENCES IN BUSH KINDER

Some of the amazing facilities and experiences that your child will enjoy in our bush kinder are:

  • Lizzie our resident blue-tongue lizard

  • The climbing tree and lookout, with expansive views across the river and overlooking Pound Bend and the ever present mob of Kangaroo’s.

  • Sandpit

  • Muddy rope hill

  • Firepit

  • Pond

  • Binoculars

  • Magnifying glasses

  • Bush cooking

  • Tree climbing

  • Mud pie kitchen

  • And the best bush kinder teachers you can find to inspire your child and teach them things like ‘what is a gastropod?’

 

BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR EDUCATION

While outdoors in nature, your child is more likely to encounter opportunities for decision making that stimulate problem solving and creative thinking because outdoor spaces are more varied and less structured than indoor spaces.

 

This unique and magical bush kinder in Victoria invites spontaneity, risk taking, exploration, and discovery in connection with nature.  

 

WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?

We are lucky enough to have a modern light filled community hall attached to this area, which is used in inclement weather.  The rest of the time we have big shady trees and of course our slip, slop, slap approach in summer. In winter, there is wet weather gear and the children keep a pair of gumboots at kinder.  We even have a firepit sometimes to use for warmth or for cooking!

 

Whatever the weather, our bush kinder provides plenty of opportunity to explore our natural environment and all the experiences it has to offer.

 

Come and take a tour to see for yourself, how special our Yarra Warra Preschool and Bush Kinder really is.

 

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