Growth of the Bush Kinder movement

The massive growth in the number of bush kinders demonstrates Australians thirst to reconnect children with nature. 

The more time children spend in nature the happier, healthier and smarter they are.

Over-protected, over-organised ... why kids need time to play

“Through challenging themselves children learn that muddy puddles are slippery and rocks are hard – they have a lot more capacity than adults give them credit for,”      more

Better out than in: Westgarth bush kindergarten plunges kids back into nature

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Bush Kinder in Fairfax media

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Dunkeld Bush Kindergarten

Even farm kids in the bush need Bush Kinder.

Dunkeld is at the foot of the Grampians in rural Victoria. Dunkeld kindergarten now run a very successsful Bush Kinder program. My colleague Ben Goodes and I happily supported the forward thinking educators and parent community at Dunkeld get started with a Bush Kinder to suit their specific needs. Congratulations Dunkeld! 

Click image to watch ABC Video of Dunkeld Bush Kinder

Click image for the Dunkeld Bush Kinder story

Bush Kinder Evaluation Report

Click image to open report

Thank you Sue and Barbara a beautifully written report.

Bush Kinder at KU Conference

Sue Elliott and I are looking forward to presenting at the KU conference.

Bush Kinder for Gowrie Australia

Gowrie are a leading training, research, and resource agency in Australia.

At the end of 2011 I was approached to write an article for their journal

Here is a link. Reflections Winter 2012 issue 4

Climbing trees

“Once a symbol of an idyllic childhood, this nature-loving pastime is so significantly on the decline that only 19% of Australian children enjoy a clamber in their local tree” Planet Ark research 2011

How high are children allowed to climb at Bush Kinder?

Children have different levels of confidence and ability. Reaching for that first branch may require an educator to be beside a child ready to catch. It may also be appropriate for an educator to watch from afar with a child many metres up a tree. 

Bush Kinder cover story for Inspire magazine

A great article about our Bush Kinder in the [DEECD] Victorian Education Department's magazine Inspire.    Click for the full story