Bush Kindergarten – Milo and Jill’s Place
Within walking distance of our Woombye centre is Milo and Jill’s Place—six acres of open lawn, natural bush, tall trees, flowering and fruiting plants, a running creek, chickens, ducks and stingless bees.
Gifted the time to explore
Bush Kindergarten takes place on a set day, with families dropping off and collecting children directly from the site. Our WCK Explorers generally spend the entire day there—not simply a morning session—giving them long, uninterrupted time to explore, investigate, build, wonder and become deeply involved in their play and learning.
Returning regularly to the same place is an important part of the program. Children revisit favourite spaces, continue unfinished projects, test new ideas and build upon discoveries made during previous visits. A shelter begun one week can be strengthened the next. Changes beside the creek can be observed over time. Knowledge of the land, its animals, plants and seasons grows through lived experience.
This continuity allows ideas, relationships and capabilities to deepen in ways that cannot be rushed.
On occasion, children may walk to or from the Woombye centre or attend Bush Kindergarten for part of the day. The site has a dedicated, approved Bush Kindergarten shed with toilets, providing shelter and a comfortable, practical base throughout the day.
Real experiences in a living landscape
Children investigate the creek, search for insects, identify plants and wildlife, climb trees, navigate slopes and muddy ground, build shelters and create land and bush art. Alongside experienced educators, they learn to tie knots, work with ropes, use real tools and explore fire striking, fire safety and outdoor cooking.
These experiences nurture curiosity, creativity and practical capability. Children collaborate, solve authentic problems, make thoughtful decisions and learn to care for the land and one another.
With time, trust and repeated experience, children develop confidence, coordination, independence, resilience and a strong sense of belonging to the natural world.
Why Risky Play Matters
Children have a natural desire to explore, test themselves and discover what their bodies can do. At WCK, we view age-appropriate risky play as an important part of children’s learning and development.
-
Risky play may include climbing trees, balancing, moving across uneven ground, working with ropes and real tools, exploring near water or learning about fire. These experiences offer challenge, excitement and uncertainty while remaining carefully supported by experienced educators.
-
Children are not simply told to “be careful.” They learn to pause, observe, assess a situation and make thoughtful decisions. Educators help them consider questions such as:
-
Does this feel safe for me?
-
Is this branch strong enough?
-
Where will I place my hands and feet?
-
Who and what are around me?
-
Do I need help or more time?
-
Through repeated experiences, children come to understand their abilities and limits. They develop coordination, strength, confidence, resilience and practical problem-solving skills. They learn to manage uncertainty, persist when something is difficult and experience the satisfaction of achieving something for themselves.
-
Risky play does not mean exposing children to hazards or unnecessary danger. Our educators carefully consider each child’s age, experience and capabilities. Strong supervision, clear boundaries, risk–benefit assessments and ongoing conversations help children encounter appropriate challenges safely.
-
Our aim is not to remove every challenge from childhood. It is to give children the knowledge, judgement and confidence they need to approach challenge with increasing competence.
