Getting Kids Back into Nature at Tribe Bush Kinder

We give your child the space to run, climb, get muddy, and build real physical confidence, fully integrated into their weekly care at our Perth centres.
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Hands-On Learning Outside the Classroom

We plan each bush kinder experience to give children opportunities to explore, discover, and engage with the natural world. Children are encouraged to observe, investigate, and ask questions as they learn through hands-on experiences outdoors. These experiences support curiosity, confidence, and independence while helping children build a connection to nature and develop an understanding of caring for the environment.

This is a specialised program that is available for families to view, allowing them to see and understand their child’s learning and experiences in the bush kinder setting. Ultimately, Bush Kinder encourages curiosity, confidence, resilience, and a lifelong connection with nature.

Where We Explore Around Our Perth Communities

Our program is built around the environments surrounding our local Perth communities. Rather than staying within a standard playground, we travel to nearby natural reserves and parklands to give children regular exposure to genuine, raw ecosystems:

Coastal Bushland Tracks

Excursions to coastal bushland and native banksia scrub focus on environmental diversity. These sessions are designed to let children practice navigating uneven dirt trails, walking natural paths, and interacting with native flora by collecting seed pods.

Regional Nature Reserves

Open local reserves characterised by mature trees and natural clearings provide expansive space for child-led activities. These environments offer the raw materials needed for collaborative projects like building large stick shelters and observing local birdlife.

Wetland Parkland Spaces

Excursions to local parklands and regional habitats featuring native grass trees allow the children to observe seasonal changes firsthand. These areas encourage children to track local wildlife footprints, explore open spaces close to home, and discover natural habitats.

A Look at Our Outdoor Morning Routine

Our nature-play sessions are designed around open-ended, child-led discovery. To support this freedom of exploration, we maintain rigorous health, safety, and supervision routines throughout every excursion. Here is how a typical morning flows:
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Safety Circle & Preparation

Before heading out, children gather for our Safety Circle, where we discuss boundaries, expectations, and ways to stay safe in the bush environment. Children ensure they are ready for the session with their hats, closed-toe shoes, water bottles, and high-visibility vests. Educators complete headcounts and final safety checks before departing.
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Explore, Discover, Learn

Children engage in child-led nature play, exploring the bush through investigation, creativity, and hands-on learning. Activities may include building with natural materials, observing wildlife, creating nature art, storytelling, and developing connections with the environment.

Throughout the session, educators provide active supervision, conduct regular head counts, and support children to explore safely and confidently.

11:30 AM - 12:00

Reflection & Return

Children gather to reflect on their discoveries and experiences, pack up their belongings, and ensure we leave no trace. We then return to the centre for lunch and a reflection session where children can share their learning and adventures from the morning.

How We Keep Everyone Safe Outdoors

We know that taking children outside the centre gates can make parents feel a bit nervous at first. That is completely normal. Here is exactly how we handle safety so your child can explore confidently, and you can have total peace of mind:

We Scout the Site First

Before every single session, our educators do a walk-through of the park or trail. We check the paths, look out for any environmental hazards, and make sure the area is completely safe before the kids arrive.

Small Groups & Exceptional Supervision

We maintain significantly higher staff-to-child ratios outdoors than indoors. With a strict ratio of 1 educator to every 2 children, we currently limit each excursion group to just 6 children at a time.

Dealing with Perth Weather

We love a bit of rain and mud, it’s great for sensory play! But if it gets too hot (over 36°C), if the winds pick up, or if there’s a storm warning, we stay safe and dry inside our centre’s indoor-outdoor spaces instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Bush Kinder program for?
Our Bush Kinder excursions are specifically designed for children in our kindergarten program (ages 3 to 5). At this stage of development, children have the physical stamina, gross motor skills, and independence needed to safely explore and enjoy outdoor bushland environments.

The program is fully integrated into the kindergarten curriculum for children enrolled at our participating Tribe centres. Because it is a core part of our early learning program, it is not available as a standalone or drop-in for external families. If your child is in our 3-5 room, they are automatically part of the Tribe Bush Kinder program!

No. At Tribe Early Learning, we believe nature-based play is foundational for kindergarten-aged children. Therefore, the Bush Kinder program is fully covered by your standard daily childcare fees.
We ask parents to dress their children in comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting muddy or dusty! On Bush Kinder days, ensure your child wears enclosed shoes (sneakers or boots) and brings their school hat and water bottle. We supply high-visibility vests and sunscreen.
Our educators carry dedicated, site-ready medical bags on every excursion containing the specific action plans, EpiPens, asthma inhalers, and first-aid gear required for the children in that group. Our tracking and verification systems ensure medical needs are managed just as securely outdoors as they are inside.
Participation is completely optional. If you prefer, your child can stay back at the centre. We place them in another room with our on-site educators for the morning, where they will do standard indoor and outdoor centre play until the preschool group returns.

Come and See Our Tribe Bush Kinder Program in Action

The best way to see the impact of Bush Kinder and inquiry-based programs is to experience them yourself.
Book a Tour at Your Nearest Centre
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