Kindred Early Education

Our Centre
Kindred Early Education has been designed so that children have many opportunities to engage in active outdoor learning and to create an environment where children can build confidence, resilience and social and emotional wellbeing. It is an environment where creativity is nurtured with an emphasis on open ended play experiences. The 5 studios are designed in a way to foster learning with rich materials and experiences with a heavy influence on loose parts play and the use of natural and recycled resources and furniture. Our philosophy in resourcing the service is heavily influenced by sustainability initiatives, creativity and the appreciation of beauty.

Why Nature Play
Kindred Early Education offers a play-based curriculum that has a strong focus on early education based on constructivism learning theory and influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach and Montessori educational theorists. Kindred Early Education features a comprehensive Bush Kindy program as well as Babies in the Bush as a core part of the early education curriculum offered and ensures that every child in the centre has the opportunity to participate. These programs are underpinned by the Australian Forest School Association guiding principles and align with the Early Years Learning Framework as well as the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines. The Bush Kindy program is overseen and implemented by a qualified Forest School Leader and all educators have Nature Play Qld training.

Kindred Early Education recognises that many studies show that a strong connection with nature has been associated with a reduction in anxiety and stress and aid in personal growth in areas of life satisfaction and happiness, high social wellbeing and being calm and content in life. Time within nature also encourages physical exercise which in turn prevents health issues associated with inactivity. We acknowledge that children often have more freedom within nature with opportunities to take risks, make decisions for themselves, take responsibility for their environment and take action within their own learning. Having uninterrupted, ‘free’ time to explore and play allows children to make decisions for themselves which is key to children developing self-help skills and having a strong sense of autonomy. Our nature-based programs foster children’s capacity to understand and respect the natural environment as well as understanding the interdependence between people, plants, animals and the land.