ARE YOU READY TO START A BUSH KINDY, OR TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL?

Whether you’re getting started, up skilling or ready to embed your program, we’ve got it all, and we:

  • Are educators ourselves, so we understand the unique needs and challenges of educators who are passionate about nature play;

  • Completely customise your professional development - featuring a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on (or virtual) activities;

  • Will equip you with the skills and confidence needed to create, or extend meaningful nature play experiences for children.

HOW CAN WE SUPPORT YOU?

1. You can come to us!

  • These workshops are suited to individuals and small groups (versus us coming to you to train your whole service) and those interstate who can’t make it to our QLD workshops.

    TERM 1

    Sunshine Coast

    • Embedding Bush Kindy - 24th January - Burnside, QLD (our Wildlings Forest School location)

    Brisbane

    • Advanced Bush Kindy Skills - 7th-9th March, 2025 - Capalaba, QLD (hosted by Little Wildlings, our flagship Early Years Service)

    Tasmania

    • Bush Skills - March 21-22nd - Launceston, Tasmania (please email our co-host Nature.Be.In.It, Kara Spence, to book)

    • Bush Skills - March 23rd-24th - Hobart, Tasmania (please email our co-host Nature.Be.In.It, Kara Spence, to book)

    TERM 2

    Brisbane

    • Embedding Bush Kindy Friday 11th April - Capalaba, QLD,  (hosted by Little Wildlings, our flagship Early Years Service)

    • Advanced Bush Kindy  - Friday 11-13th April - Capalaba, QLD,  (hosted by Little Wildlings, our flagship Early Years Service)

    Melbourne

    • Embedding Bush Kindy - Friday 25th April - Melbourne

    • Advanced Bush Kindy  - Friday 25th-27th April - Melbourne

    Cairns

    • Advanced Bush Kindy Skills - 13th-15th June - Cairns, QLD (hosted by FNQ Nature Quest)

    Mossman

    • Introduction/ Embedding Bush Kindy - 16th June, Mossman, QLD (Please contact FNQ Nature Quest to book)

    TERM 3 

    Sunshine Coast

    • Embedding Bush Kindy - 8th August - Burnside, QLD (our Wildlings Forest School site)

    • Advanced Bush Kindy Skills - 8-10th August -Burnside, QLD (our Wildlings Forest School site)

    Term 4

    • TBA

2. Or, we can come to you and your team (inservice)

Intro to Bush Kindy

Nature Play Audit

Programming Documentation

Embedding Bush Kindy

Mentoring

Qld Kindy Uplift

Bush Kindy Upskill

Observation

Rural Funding

On Going Consultations

VIC Bush Kinder Grant

Register Now and Ignite the Wonder of Nature Play!
Take the first step towards becoming a nature play facilitator and register your interest in our nature play professional development workshops by requesting an information pack. Embrace the joy of learning alongside nature, and empower yourself to inspire the next generation with the wonders of the natural world. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the world of nature play and make a lasting impact on the lives of children!

Professional Development Highlights

1. Research-based Approaches: Our professional development program is built on a solid foundation of evidence-based research. We provide you with the latest findings, trends, and best practices in nature play education, ensuring that you are equipped with cutting-edge knowledge.

2. Hands-on Learning: We believe in learning by doing. Throughout all our workshops, you will have ample opportunity to engage in practical activities outdoors that will deepen your understanding of nature play and help you integrate it seamlessly into your teaching practice.

3. Outdoor Experiences: The option to immerse yourself in our breathtaking Bush Kindy settings, where you will have the opportunity to observe and participate in nature play sessions, gaining firsthand experience.

4. Customisable Content: We understand that every educator has unique needs and goals. That's why our Nature Play Professional Development workshops offer customisable content. You can select from a wide range of workshops and modules, and tailor your learning experience to focus on the topics relevant to your team’s needs, your setting and your context.

Wildlings Advantage


1. Experienced Educators: Our team of experienced nature play educators will guide you through the program, sharing their expertise and insights gained from years of hands-on experience in the field.

2. Bonus Access to Online Course Platform: All face-to-face training includes access to our online training program for the life of the course, so that you can always go back for refreshers and in-service your team now and into the future, meaning your program will be truly embedded in your service. You can also ask us any burning questions on this platform. The course content is regularly updated with the most up-to-date regulations, resources, etc, so you can feel assured that your team are providing the best, most up-to-date safety and care.

3. Networking and Online Collaboration: Training with us also includes being added to our Facebook group which provides a platform for you to continue to connect and collaborate with us and fellow educators who share your passion for nature play. Share ideas, exchange resources, and build lasting professional relationships that will continue to enrich your teaching journey long after the program ends.

4. Flexible Learning Options: Choose from a range of options, including week day workshops, weekend intensives, or online modules, to fit your busy schedule and preferred learning style.

The Benefits for You and Your children

By participating in our Nature Play training workshops, you'll:

  • Develop a deeper understanding of nature play philosophies and pedagogies;

  • Understand the benefits of nature play on children's physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development;

  • Learn practical strategies to implement nature-based learning activities that align with your curriculum goals, including adventurous skills such as campfire and bush cooking, hand tool safety, rope play and temporary structures, water play, stick, rock and mud play and tree climbing;

  • Learn outdoor group management tips and tricks specific to distinct activities e.g. group management around fire, superivsing a group using hand tools;

  • Enhance your skills in risk management, safety, and creating a supportive learning environment in outdoor settings;

  • Cultivate a sense of wonder in your students by fostering their curiosity and love for nature;

  • Naturally encourage sustainability and environmental stewardship and teach children the importance of protecting and conserving the natural world by easily embedding your program/s across your school or service.

  • Be given policy, procedure, risk assessment and safety briefing templates for each activity (hand tools, fire etc) that only need tweaking to your context.

“This seems clear enough: When truly present in nature, we do use all our senses at the same time, which is the optimum state of learning.”
— Richard Louv

Take the First Step towards Transformative Teaching and step into the wild with us!

Here’s what others have to say…

  • “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!