Bush Kindy

Three hours of wild and free play.

Bush Kindy is our beloved drop-off program for children aged 2.5 to 5; a morning spent in the Australian bush, doing what children do best. Free play, exploring, getting muddy, making friends, and building the kind of quiet confidence that only comes from time spent outdoors.

We offer two mornings a week throughout the school term, with the flexibility to join us for one or both sessions.

Tuesdays 9:00am – 12:00pm
Fridays 9:00am – 12:00pm

Bush Kindy is designed for children aged 2.5–5 who are independently toileting.

What does Bush Kindy include?

Bush Kindy is a child-led, nature-immersion program that evolves alongside the children themselves; their interests, their curiosities, and the season unfolding around them.

Just like nature, we value rhythm over routine. Our Guides offer a range of activities throughout each session, but every child has the freedom to join in or keep doing their own wild thing. At Wild Wattle, children's autonomy isn't just respected, it's celebrated. Every child in our program has the right to make their own choices, follow their own path, and yes, make their own mistakes.

We have just three simple rules: Be kind. Be safe. Be wild.

Bush Kindy is filled with endless opportunities for nature-based play and discovery. On any given morning you might find children making mud pies, building shelters, hunting for bugs, playing hide-and-seek, or doing something entirely unexpected that nobody planned. Our Guides are right there alongside them — whether that means helping haul a tyre into the mud pit or tying ropes for a makeshift swing.
Our Guides are there to support your child in their play and exploration, whether it's helping to drag a tire into the mud pit or tying ropes.
Throughout each session our Guides offer invitations to play - open, unhurried moments to engage, create, and explore together. Inspired by the seasons and the children's own curiosities, these might include nature crafts, bush skills, stories, songs, or games. Children are always welcome to join in, and equally free not to.
We offer regular opportunities for snacks and bathroom breaks throughout the session. Children tend to find their own natural rhythm for these… and once one friend pulls out their snack, the rest usually follow!
Throughout the term we love welcoming special guests into the bush with us. Past and planned visitors have included an Aboriginal educator, a native plant expert, and local artists.
If you know someone in the community with a skill or passion the kids would love, we'd love to hear about it!
We're committed to keeping Bush Kindy high-quality and genuinely accessible for our community. Sessions for 2026 are priced at $60 per session ($20/hour, GST inclusive). Full-term fees are payable at enrolment due to staffing and program planning requirements.

Enrol your child now for Term 2!

Bush Kindy FAQ’s

Your child needs to be out of nappies and able to use a toilet independently; toddler-level toilet trained is perfectly fine! Accidents happen, especially when little ones are deep in an adventure, and we handle them with zero fuss. There are plenty of toilet break opportunities throughout the session, because tiny humans have tiny bladders.
Absolutely! The rhythmic flow of Bush Kindy is designed to fit the children, not the other way around. Nature has no prerequisites, and neither do we. We can't wait to welcome your little one.
This is a completely normal and appropriate reaction, and you're not alone in worrying about it. Every child is different, and we're happy to work with you to create a gentle transition plan — whether that means a brief visit first, or you staying for a few minutes at the start. Bush Kindy is a wonderful first drop-off experience; we find the outdoors works its own magic in helping children settle. Please reach out before the term starts if you think your child might need a little extra support at drop-off; the earlier we chat, the better.
It depends on the allergy and its severity. Children bring their own snacks, and we're mindful of seating and sharing to avoid cross-contamination. Please get in touch before enrolling so we can have a proper chat and make sure we can support your child safely.
Absolutely. If nature can teach us anything, it's to celebrate differences. While our staff ratios are pre-set, we warmly invite you to get in touch so we can talk through how to include your child in a meaningful, safe, and supportive way. If your child requires one-to-one support, they're welcome to attend with their support worker, respite worker, or therapist.
Dress for the mountain climate and expect to get muddy — that's kind of the whole point. We recommend layers, a raincoat, sturdy closed-toe shoes or gumboots, and a spare change of clothes in their bag. Hats and sunscreen are a must on sunny days. If in doubt, overdress, you can always take layers off!
A water bottle, snacks, a spare change of clothes (including undies and socks!), sunscreen, a hat, and any other weather appropriate items (beanie, etc.). A small backpack works perfectly.
We leave bags at the picnic tables so don’t worry about overpacking; your child won’t have to carry it!
Bush Kindy runs in all weather! We believe there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. On wet days we have use of our covered areas, but the children are usually keen to be out in the elements; puddles and all. Just make sure they're dressed for it and have extra socks (the most important part of enjoying a wet day.
We maintain a low child-to-Guide ratio of 1:5, well above national standards. This means every child feels safe, seen, and supported throughout the session, and allows us to genuinely embrace risky play, independent exploration, and the kind of thoughtful pastoral care each little one deserves.
Full-term fees are paid at enrolment due to staffing and program planning requirements. We're unable to offer refunds for individual missed sessions, however please get in touch if your circumstances change and we'll do our best to work something out.