FAQs

What should I bring to Bush Kindy or Playgroup?

No matter the session, we recommend children bring the following:

  • Food

  • Water

  • Closed in shoes (we recommend aqua shoes, gumboots or canvas shoes they're happy to get wet and muddy). No thongs please!

  • Long lightweight pants to minimise the risk of bites and scratches

  • Insect repellant/sunscreen

  • Swimmers, rashie, towel

  • Wet gear - rain jacket, pants and gumboots

  • Spare change (or two) of clothes

What is Bush Kindy?

Bush Kindy is an inspirational educational philosophy that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve success and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a wild space or natural environment. Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education (www.forestschoolassociation.org).

Are you a school?

We are NOT a school. We are an outdoor activity provider that follows the Forest School educational philosophy, which is explained above.

What is the difference between The Ultimate Playground and other learning programs? 

The Ultimate Playground takes place predominantly outdoors, is experiential, child-led and largely unstructured. We want our children to be able to learn in a natural environment which provides them with risks, challenges and a love and respect for the environment. Because of this, children spend their entire time outdoors at our Bush Kindy driving their own learning through the exploration of the natural environment. We aim to raise a community of empathetic, kind, global minded, environmental stewards. We do not follow the National Curriculum and are not out to tick curriculum boxes (though we of course do this incidentally every single day).  We see parents as the child's first and best teacher and nature as the third teacher and feel that an environment in which they are surrounded by their family and community, is the environment most conducive to learning.

The Ultimate Playground is not registered as an Education Provider by the Department of Education or ACECQA. We aim to be an Activity Provider and are working closely with DETE and ECIS to ensure we stay within the bounds of National Education Laws.

What is the difference between your bush kindy program and playgroup?

Playgroup is a two hour session, run by a passionate parent, that has a heavy focus on free play, simple craft, songs and stories.  Bush Kindy is run by qualified Forest School Leader/s and teach children forest school skills such as how to safely use hand tools (including bow/hand saws, pen knives, hand drills, wood planes, hammers, etc.), lighting and cooking over a camp fire, raft building, cubby making and other specialist skills and 'riskier' activities. Playgroup can be held at different locations each week whilst our other programs are generally held in the same location (with the odd excursion to a different environment).

What happens if it's raining?

Then we get to jump in puddles! We go by the old Norwegian saying, “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing”. So if it’s raining, dress your child appropriately, with a rain jacket, gumboots, warm socks and weatherproof pants and send a spare set of warm clothes. It is a great chance for your child to explore and discover how our land changes in all seasons and our children quite often say that wet days are the best days!

Can I drop my child off at your programs?

You can!  We do encourage parents to stay however, and immerse themselves in nature alongside their children and other families.

Do you have insurance and what does it include?

The Ultimate Playground is insured under leisure liability coverage. Part of your weekly fee goes towards personal accident insurance for your child. Our insurance policy is very comprehensive and covers $20 million public liability. 

Why do you cost more than other playgroups?

We are an Activity Provider, not an Education or Care Provider and therefore we do not qualify for a childcare rebate. We are not owned by a big corporation that can back us, buy in bulk and distribute profit and loss amongst many franchisees. We are not a non-profit organisation so do not have access to grants. We are a small business that needs to pay our own way. Our insurance premiums are higher than most businesses due to the perceived higher risk by insurance companies of working outdoors with children and we need more staff on the ground than most businesses due to required ratios. We hire an excellent space and we purchase ethical, sustainable, local resources wherever we can. We run an excellent, unique program and we are passionate about the benefits of Forest Schooling and about taking education outdoors.