Bush Kindy Leader Course October 2024 - Gold Coast - 3 days
Bush Kindy Leader Course for educators wishing to set up and run a nature program in outdoor spaces in the community.
Date and time
Location
Country Paradise Parklands Nerang
231 Beaudesert Nerang Rd Nerang, QLD 4211 AustraliaRefund Policy
About this event
- 2 days 7 hours
The 3 day Bush Kindy Leader Course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to set up and lead a Nature Program - Bush/Beach Kindergarten/Forest School in Early Childhood & OSHC services.
This is held on the Gold Coast, QLD.
The course is based on research and principles from international education models in nature pedagogy and explores practice that is contextualised to the unique Australian bush and coastal landscape. Covers all content within the Forest School Leader model, Level 3 and provides additional extensive content for Australian education and care settings.
The course is delivered by experienced, qualified trainers with extensive knowledge and expertise in Bush Kindy programs across Queensland and beyond. Our facilitators still work in the field and share hands on experience as well of services that we partner with.
The training content is mapped to the Early Years Learning Framework and My Time Our Place and will provide educators with the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for programs venturing out of their service into the community. It includes resources to support the service implementation. This training includes content from the 1-day workshop; Learning in and with Nature, focusing on Nature Pedagogy - inquiry based learning through child led play in and with nature. As well as in-depth information to develop Nature Programs including practical Educator Skill sets; Risky Play – trees and water, Fire as a Learning Experience, Ropes are a creative Learning Resource and Using Real Tools Safely. The course will explore the requirements of legislation, policies, procedures, risk assessments and how to meet these. It will explore curriculum possibilities including; Embedding Indigenous perspectives, sustainability, environmental education, and community connections. Participant learning outcomes are listed on here
This course includes a visit to a Bush Kindy in action at a service that has been delivering excellence in Bush Kindy programs over a long established period with experienced leaders. To allow for this session, we will start the Friday course day at 8.30am.
The course is a combination of indoor and outdoor components and for this reason, we ask participants to be prepared with appropriate wet weather gear for practical activities in the course and the Bush Kindy visit.
Morning tea, Lunch, afternoon tea and tea/coffee/juice provided for the 3 day course.
Printed course materials including a Training Manual and digital resources provided.
BOOKING: Tickets are limited to one at a time to ensure that PARTICIPANTS complete the registration, as there is personal questions relating to medical and professional knowledge. At the end, they can click - Pay by Credit Card, Pay by Invoice - and the invoice will be sent to the Centre.
If you are booking 3 or more participants from the same single service please contact bec@cottonwoodlearning.com.au or 0473 021 887 to attain a discount code before registering.
Due to high demand of this course, the Cancellation Policy applies with fees for late notice. Please read the full policy here
Please ensure you read all the information thoroughly and if you have any further queries, please contact us.
Frequently asked questions
On Eventbrite you will find 2 payment options: - Credit or Debit Card - Invoice to be paid within 7 days of your registration – you can then do this via direct deposit If you require other payment plans and options, please contact us on admin@cottonwoodlearning.com.au
Registrations for our courses can be done via our website. The best way to get there: Cottonwood Learning website Bush Kindy Leader Course page - https://www.cottonwoodlearning.com.au/bush-kindy-leader-course
Yes, however each registration needs to be done individually by the participant not the director, as each participant is asked personal questions
Yes, there is! If 3 or more educators, from the same service or organization, are attending the Bush Kindy Course at the same time a discounted price applies. Please email admin@cottonwoodlearning.com.au to request a discount code to be used when registering.
Please view our cancellation policy here https://www.cottonwoodlearning.com.au/pd-cancellation-policy
Currently in Australia there is no certified course for Bush/Beach Kindy or Forest School, additionally there is no mandatory requirement to have certification. This course is equivalent to the UK Certificate Level 3 course. At the end of this course, you will receive a hard copy printed certificate
No, there is no previous experience required. This training will provide educators with the theoretical and practical knowledge and ideas, to implement a nature play program – Bush and Beach Kindy/Forest School program venturing out of the service into the community.
Unfortunately, we do not offer an online version of this course as it is very practical in nature. Throughout the 3 days, we reinforce the theoretical knowledge by applying it in practice in nature settings at the venue. We also include a visit to a Bush Kindy at an early Childhood service in action
Days start at 9 am and finish at 4pm. There is a combination of indoor and outdoor components on each day. On day 3, in the morning, we will be working within a rainforest visiting a Bush Kindy so this day starts at 8.30am.
The Bush Kindy Leader Course is delivered by Rebecca Burch, Alex Brown, Anya Perkins and Rita Pontes. You can view staff BIO on our website. Our team has extensive experience and qualifications in Nature Pedagogy, and all currently still work in the field in Bush and Beach Kindy programs.
Cottonwood Learning will provide morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. Tea, coffee, water, juice, fruit and biscuits are also provided. Please make sure to indicate any dietary requirement when registering. We will do our best to cater for all.
There is a combination of indoor and outdoor components on each day and for a session and day 3 we will be working within a rainforest visiting a Bush Kindy. For this reason, please check the weather and dress accordingly. Read email sent prior so you know what to wear and what to bring.
Yes, we include practical Educator Skill sets; Risky Play – Trees, Shelters, Water & Fire Safety, Ropes & Using Real Tools Safely. This is on top of many practical activities throughout the course to enrich your skills and repertoire of nature play activities.
You will receive a free resources including: -Bush Kindy Leader Training Manual - Printed Nature Play QLD resources - USB filled with Nature Play QLD resources, editable documents e.g., Risk Benefit Assessments, Policy inclusions, Sustainable Management Plan, Fire Safety Procedures & much more
We give you lots of ideas of how to inspire your colleagues, engage in reflective conversations and upskill your team. We remind organisations that Cottonwood Learning owns the IP of the course and it can’t be used to train other teams or services or for profit.
We offer a very educator-focused course, with the intention of responding to all your questions and learning from each other's journeys, that is why we keep our group small. Max 20 – Min 10.
This training is for those setting up & venturing out of the service into the community – including playgroup, drop off bush kindy, holiday or homeschooling programs within an Early childhood program, school or private business & needing support to meet regulations, safety requirements & curriculum