2022 nature playgroups term 3
What to Expect at Sydney Nature Kindy
At Sydney Nature Kindy, you and your little people will be greeted with a warm welcome, before you join everyone in a yarning circle to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, the Bidjigal and Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. You will also learn about the land and listen to a story about the area. This term, Sydney Nature Kindy is partnering with Deadly Ed, for a new series of nature playgroups that aims to help the children identify native wildlife and bush tucker and share stories relevant to the Bidjigal and Gadigal land we gather on.
What to Bring To Your Playgroup?
Please ensure you have:
Water bottle and any snacks you require (no nuts please).
Layers in case of a change of weather and potentially a change of clothes
Gumboots and raincoat if it is raining.
Sydney Nature Kindy is an all-weather activity and we will proceed except in the case of extreme weather conditions like high winds or severe storms. So come dressed accordingly!
Harrison who is usually a million miles an hour and rarely stays in one place for more than a minute settled into the nature playgroup and especially loved collecting specimens, balancing and walking on huge tree trunks and climbing and swinging from ropes in the trees.
Loved seeing my little one point up at the trees and bats, engaging with nature.
My son loved being outside and learning about nature, interacting with other kids.
Special Offer: enjoy a free trial session using code FREETRIAL when booking!
FREE INTRODUCTORY TRIAL SESSION to those of you out there who might be interested in what we are doing but a little unsure how it all works.
Set under the soaring, serene fig trees of Sydney’s stunning Centennial Parklands, Sydney Nature Kindy delivers a nature-based playgroup every Wednesday for little ones of all ages. Children will have the unique opportunity to test their limits in the great outdoors in a controlled environment, creating magic as they explore the elements together!
All children attending must be accompanied by an adults, so Sydney Nature Kindy make the session fun for grown-ups too. You and your little one will experience an engaging session of hands-on, outdoor fun, making friends and connecting with like-minded parents who also appreciate the important role nature play in children’s development.
Why is Nature Play Important?
Of course, playing outside is endlessly fun for children, however, a great number of studies have also concluded that children who consistently play in nature are happier, have a stronger immune system and increased physical health. They also benefit from improved literacy skills, focus and attention and greater emotional intelligence.
Being outdoors in nature, allows children to experience all weather conditions and follow the rhythm of the seasons. it also increases community connection and reduces levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
It is so important for children to be outdoors in nature, experiencing all weathers, and following the rhythm of the seasons.
Where: Centennial Parklands
When: Wednesdays 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st August 2022 | 10:30am – 12pm
Cost: $25 per child per week or $85 for a four-week block
10% group discount (adults no charge)
As lovers of the park, 5% of our profits are donated back to support the beautiful Centennial Parklands.
Find out more info in the FAQs below.
Hi, I’m Penny Mapp. I am mother to 7yo twin girls and a large woolly hound. I am not an educator but have become a passionate advocate for nature play. I believe that children are amazing, they are far more capable than we give them credit, they are citizens who should be valued and listened to and that childhood is a gift that should be celebrated before it is gone. Children are born ready to explore and we should do all we can to encourage their natural curiosity. Nature provides the perfect environment for this and the connection to the natural world around them and an understanding of the seasons and native flora and fauna that can follow is the best way for our little people to feel their sense of place in the world.
From Wiradjuri Country in central NSW, Darren is a descendant of the Yibaay Wagaan kin group around Wellington.
He’s is a member of @boomalli_aboriginal_art and the main man completing @thefirstmapproject
Why nature play?
Why is this? Apart from play outside being endlessly fun, a great number of studies have shown that children who are able to regularly play in nature have:
- Increased levels of happiness
- A stronger immune system
- Improved physical health
- Increased physical and literacy skills
- Improved focus and attention
- Greater emotional intelligence
- Increases community connection
- Reduced levels of stress, anxiety and depression
(click on the above image to enlarge it)
We also believe that a connection to nature helps children better understand their place in the world and fostering a love of the natural world from a young age is an environmental necessity.
What to expect?
On welcoming you and your little people, we will form our yarning circle to acknowledge our traditional owners, the Bidjigal people of the Eora Nation, learn a bit about the land we are gathered on and listen to a story about the area.
This will provide the children with the opportunity to feel a sense of place for where we are gathered and to get to know each other. Our little nature explorers will then be invited to perform a risk assessment of the area and set our boundaries for today’s play before they set out to explore.
Please be mindful that this is an all weather activity and we will proceed regardless except in the case of extreme weather conditions eg high winds, severe storms. So come dressed accordingly!
Who’s this for?
All children, aged 0-5 years old, are welcome! Please note an adult will need to accompany children attending.
Are adults required to accompany their children?
We also encourage all our lovely big people attending to get involved and engage with what your little people are doing so that you can both get the most out of this session. We will do our best to make this fun for you as well!
We would also appreciate your assistance with guiding and helping them, we aren’t likely to be doing anything too strenuous and will be on hand to assist.
Is there a discount for siblings?
Yes, you deserve one! Please enjoy 10% off the full price when you book for 2 or more children by using the code 2ORMORE.
What happens if its raining?
Of course, if it gets too hairy and unsafe, we shall of course cancel the playgroups and offer a credit or refund.
What to bring?
- Water bottle and any snacks you require (no nuts please).
- Layers in case of a change of weather and potentially a change of clothes.
- Gumboots and raincoat if it is raining.
What if the dates I'm interested in have sold out?
Interested in playgroups at other times?
Where to meet?
You can find us near Pine Grove in Centennial Park (click on the image above to open in Google Maps).
Parking is usually readily available on Loch Avenue (closest) or Grand Drive (a short walk).
You can also reach us by 339 bus and the lightrail.
There are toilet facilities nearby.