BushKinder Doug

08/03/2026

If you’re quick there are still a few tickets available for the always wonderful Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Network conference.
At Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and online.
A great lineup of presenters, and an opportunity to network with a crowd of some of the most committed people in early childhood.
Looking forward to seeing you there. 💚🌱

17/01/2026

David Attenborough 💚🌱

06/07/2025

28/06/2025

Over the past two decades, we’ve witnessed a troubling decline in risky play among children in Australia. This Position Statement champions children’s right to engage in risky play.
Drawing upon expert knowledge from the medical, health, education, design, and safety sectors, this evidence based statement underscores how vital risky play is for children from birth to 8 years.
Congratulations to Rachel Jones, Helen Little, Sue Elliott, and Karen Tonge on producing this document. I am proud to have contributed to it.

    The Risky Play Position Statement for Young Australian Children has united professionals from medical, educational, and playground design disciplines representing government and not-for-profit sectors across Australia in providing an authoritative voice to advocate for risky play in children.....

09/08/2024

Round 2 of the bush kinder grants program is now open in Victoria 💚🌳

This grants program will support more kindergartens to set up nature programs, giving children more opportunity to get outdoors.

02/04/2024

Are you a certificate 3 educator looking for a great workplace? Westgarth Kindergarten is proudly a not-for-profit community kindergarten. Situated on Wurundjeri Country, we have a campus on the grounds of Westgarth Primary School and a bush campus at the Darebin Parklands. Our pedagogy is deliberate and based on issues of social justice, contemporary issues, current research and passion. Westgarth Kindergarten began and remains central to Australia’s bush kinder movement. We advocate for children to play in nature because we know they are happier, smarter, healthier and kinder when they do.
We are seeking Certificate III qualified educators (or equivalent as recognised by ACECQA) to join our casual relief pool. There is also the potential to work some regular shifts. VECTEA
Contact: Doug Fargher [email protected]

19/09/2023

Our research shows outdoor parks offer the ideal place for children to engage in risky play. This may challenge parents who understandably wish to keep their kids ‘safe’ all the time.

29/08/2023

Bush Kinder gets wonderful support from the Victorian Government.
Advocacy and activism work!
Thank you Ingrid Stitt MP and the DET for recognising the benefits a bush kinder program offers, and for seeking the expert advice of my colleagues and I.
Here is a $6000 grant to establish a new or enhance an existing bush kinder program.

This grants program will support more kindergartens to set up nature programs, giving children more opportunity to get outdoors.

31/07/2023

Listening to the people whose Country you are on is essential if you run a bush kinder.
There is a rare opportunity to listen to First Nations Perspectives with a Wurundjeri and Kulin focus at a conference on Saturday 5 August.
The conference includes
- Mandy Nicholson on family, culture and developing the Djirri Djirri dancers;
- Yarn Strong Sista presentation with opportunities to explore and buy their resources and learning about ethical purchasing;
- Possum Skin Pedagogy kits, including an opportunity to hear from author Dr Sue Atkinson
We will hear from a Wurundjeri elder, and from the new DE program bupup balak wayipungang.
In the afternoon, there are 4 options of sessions on Country, including hearing about growing murnong, or a visit to the important grasslands in Fawkner. These visits will be guided by experts in their field who have deep knowledge of that particular place.
Registration cost is $100 - all payments are going to pay First Nations presenters.
Council info link
https://www.merri-bek.vic.gov.au/.../resources-for.../
Ticket link
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/merri-bek-indigenous-perspectives-early-years-conference-tickets-664284361407

Early childhood professionals know how important it is to embed Indigenous Perspectives in our curriculum for young children

23/06/2023

An excellent piece of writing. A parent’s perspective on her daughter’s bush kinder experience.
“ It has given her stories, experiences and life skills that will ground her for years to come. She is ready no matter what path she takes, whatever the weather may be” writes Lucille Wong

Exposure to nature in inner Melbourne has left her with stories, experiences and life skills before she starts school next year

04/06/2023

The Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Network are happy to invite you to a Network Gathering.
This a FREE event and a great opportunity to connect, share, reflect and learn.
https://fb.me/e/1hlBS3nDh

Where:
Meruka Childcare Co-op
5 Meruka Dr
Eltham, Vic 3095
When:
Saturday 17 June
10 am till noon

Please don't hesitate to share the invitation with your colleagues and networks.

https://fb.me/e/1hlBS3nDh