INTRODUCTION TO BUSH KINDY

Here's how the Introduction to Bush Kindy Course fulfills the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers:

Teaching Standard 1. Know students and how they learn

- Understanding child development in outdoor contexts

- Adapting to diverse learning needs in nature-based settings

Teaching Standard 4. Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments

- Managing risks in outdoor settings

- Fostering inclusive and respectful outdoor learning spaces

Teaching Standard 6. Engage in professional learning

- Reflecting on and improving Bush Kindy practices

- Staying current with research on nature-based education

Teaching Standard 7. Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community

- Collaborating with families to support nature-based learning

- Engaging with the local community and environment

“We wanted to introduce more risky play, use of tools and the Bush Kindy philosophy at our Kindergarten. Wildlings facilitated incredible professional learning sessions that were tailored to our service, our children and our staff. We were able to access all of this through our Kindy Uplift Funding, including the purchase of resources and consulting from them. In addition they assisted us with risk benefit assessments, policies, procedures, safety sweeps and safety briefings. Our children have instantly benefited from our educator’s new understandings. We highly recommend them.

Wildlings were wonderful in facilitating an engaging, informative and inspiring introduction session. I found the training to be incredibly beneficial for anyone wanting to start a Bush Kindy program. There was a wide range of hands-on resources and activities, and they shared their wide range of knowledge and skill sets with us.

After my first training session with Wildings, I was better able to forward plan and begin to create the type of Bush Kindy program I wanted to run at Little Village. I was able to extend the skills and practices that the Wildings team had shared with us and felt confident in providing the children in my care with a safe and engaging Bush program.

Throughout this session, the Wildings team really helped me understand and plan for my program. They shared with us a detailed program of their own, giving us a first-hand look at the potential things we could do in our own environment. I would 100% recommend Wildings training to anyone interested in nature programs. The team at Wildings are experts at what they do and has worked very hard to create a safe and respectful environment to learn from and share knowledge in.

Wildlings Forest School has come and run bush kindy sessions at Kenmore District Kindergarten for 4 – 6 weeks every year, for the last few years. Sessions for each group of 22 children went for 1.5 hours and commenced at kindy with safety briefings and then walking through our back gate and using sections of the next-door school environmental area.

Having sessions run by Wildlings meant that the staff could see firsthand and be involved in the bush kindy program. Through this we were able to build our own knowledge and skill set, learning how to run a bush kindy program, what equipment was needed and the necessary paperwork, policies, procedures and risk benefit analysis required. The Wildlings team were also able to educate the staff along the way as to how activities could be extended or modified.

Over time and further training, the staff having gained the skills and knowledge to run sessions on our own. In 2022 we ran a few of our own sessions to start with and then the Wildlings team came and upskilled our team in fire, facilitating several fire sessions alongside us. Now the staff feel they have the skills and knowledge to run our own bush kindy program in 2023. Thank you Wildlings Forest School for introducing us to the world of Bush kindy and setting us on the right track for our own bush kindy adventures.

First and foremost, the training was absolutely worthwhile. Not only did it provide me with valuable knowledge and skills, but it also transformed my perspective on early childhood education in natural environments. The emphasis on nature-based learning and outdoor experiences resonated deeply with me, and I truly believe it is the way forward for holistic child development. The training greatly helped my practice move forward by expanding my understanding of the benefits of nature-based education, providing me with practical tools and techniques to integrate the natural environment into my Forest school sessions, and fostering a deeper connection between children and the natural world. I also learned how to design meaningful outdoor experiences that promote curiosity, resilience, and a sense of wonder in young learners.

What I loved most about training with Wildlings Bush Kindy was the passion and expertise of the instructors. They had a genuine love for nature and a remarkable ability to inspire and engage others. Their enthusiasm was contagious, making the training sessions enjoyable and highly motivating. I felt encouraged and supported every step of the way, which created a positive and nurturing learning environment for adults. Wildlings Bush Kindy played a pivotal role in boosting my confidence in running sessions. Through hands-on activities, group discussions, and collaborative problem-solving exercises, I gained the necessary skills and self-assurance to lead engaging and impactful sessions. Their mentorship and constructive feedback helped me refine my teaching approach and navigate any challenges that arose. The trainers offered practical solutions to common obstacles, allowing me to overcome hurdles and create a more enriching learning environment for my children.

Without hesitation, I would highly recommend Wildlings Bush Kindy training to others. The experience was transformative, both personally and professionally. The organisation's dedication to fostering a deep connection between children and nature is commendable, and the training equips educators with the tools to make a real difference in the lives of young learners. As for future training, I would jump at the opportunity to participate again. The ongoing support and professional development opportunities provided by Wildlings Bush Kindy are invaluable. Their commitment to continuous learning and growth ensures that educators stay updated with the latest research and best practices in nature-based education. I look forward to further enhancing my skills and knowledge with them in the future.

Forest school has been an incredible experience for both children and educators alike. Personally, I have grown in my own personal philosophy, extending on my own values and appreciation for the natural environment. Engaging in risky play has challenged my trust in the children, leading to a greater understanding of their capabilities and competence. In addition, as an Atelierista, it has been truly amazing to incorporate natural resources into our artistic processes, using various shades of ochre and natural clay sourced from our surroundings. This has allowed not only myself, but also our team to create meaningful art while fostering a deeper connection with nature. As our philosophy is Reggio Emilia inspired, we value the environment as the third teacher. By including Forest School in our weekly curriculum, both the children and educators constantly learn and reflect on the significance of nature play and what it truly means.

The Wildlings team are passionate and skilled facilitators, delivering high quality and exciting training opportunities for early childhood professionals. We have attended several of their training sessions and each has been highly informative, hands on and most importantly – FUN!