Our Forest School Program
Some of the best learning happens outside the classroom walls.
At Poplars, nature-based learning is a core part of our weekly routine. Whether your family calls it Forest School, Bush Kindy, or Bush School, our program gives children the freedom to lead their own learning right here in the Australian bush.
Facilitators, Not Instructors
If you watch our educators in the bush, you’ll notice they step back so your child can step up. We focus on "teachable moments." If a child finds a track in the mud, our educators don't just give them the answer, they help them test their own ideas and figure it out.
A Classroom Without Walls
-
Science & STEM
Calculating the balance of heavy logs, studying insect habitats, and sorting natural elements by size and weight to build early maths and physics foundations.
-
Active Geography
Navigating uneven tracks, tracking changing weather, and developing spatial awareness by mapping out trails in the wild.
-
Living History
Observing how the land changes through the seasons and understanding the organic stories embedded deep within the earth.
A Typical Schedule on Forest School Days
-
Our outdoor education sessions start at the centre with a quick group circle. The children sit down with our early childhood educators to talk about our boundaries, local wildlife, and bush safety. Then, we do a gear check to ensure high-vis vests, water bottles, and boots are ready to go.
-
Once we arrive at our bush school site, the morning is all about child-led discovery. The kids have unhurried time to build cubbies from fallen branches, search for bugs, or create games. Our educators stay right in the thick of it, keeping groups small and safe during the nature play session.
-
Before wrapping up our nature play session, we work as a team to look after the bushland. The children help pack up our gear and make sure we leave our site completely untouched. We share our favourite discoveries on the walk back, returning to the early learning centre in time for lunch.
The Wild Spaces We Visit
We are so lucky to live where we do, with plenty of regional reserves, open grasslands, and local bush tracks right in our backyard.
We love taking the kids back to the same spots so they can watch the bush change as the seasons turn, which helps them build a really beautiful connection to the land.
Honouring the First Nations Land We Play On
Poplars centres sit on the traditional lands of the Ngunawal and Ngambri peoples, and we embed a genuine connection to Indigenous perspectives into our outdoor sessions.
Caring for the Bush
We teach the children to look after the land, notice the wildlife, and respect the environment just as the Ngunawal and Ngambri people have for generations.
Learning the Stories
Through local storytelling and learning about native plants, our children grow up with a profound, grounded respect for Australia’s living history.
Rain, Hail, or Shine
There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes.
Our program runs all year round because experiencing the elements, from frosty mornings to rainy days, teaches the kids how to adapt and find real joy outdoors.
Safety always comes first, so we stay indoors during extreme weather. Otherwise, we pack our wet-weather gear, put on our boots, and head out. We handle all the transport and logistics, so it connects seamlessly with your long day care routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Our off-site Bush Kindy sessions start at 3 years of age for children in our preschool rooms. Younger toddlers and babies enjoy nature-based play safely inside our centres.
-
It is completely free. The Forest School program is fully included in our standard daily child care fees, with zero extra costs or excursion levies for families.
-
Yes, we head out rain, hail, or shine. If local authorities issue severe weather, high wind, or fire danger warnings, we stay indoors and run nature activities at the centre.
-
Children need closed-toe shoes (or gumboots), a raincoat, and clothes that can get muddy. Poplars provide high-visibility safety vests. Always pack a spare change of clothes.
-
Sessions are held in the local reserves, bush tracks, and open grasslands surrounding our Jerrabomberra and Holt centres. Educators walk or transport children safely to these nearby spaces.
Come See Poplars For Yourself
Our Forest School and Bush Kindy sessions are fully included in our daily fees. Select your nearest centre below to schedule a tour or register your interest.