Children at the Tungamah Kindergarten and Early Childhood Service will have the chance to further learn and play in the great outdoors, thanks to an expansion of bush kinder programs.
Children in Yarrawonga and Tungamah will have the chance to learn and play in the great outdoors, thanks to an expansion of bush kinder programs.
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Tungamah Kindergarten and Early Childhood Service, Yarrawonga Early Childhood Centre and Country Buddies Yarrawonga were recently announced to receive one-off grants of $6000 to offer a bush kinder program in 2024 by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes.
Bush kinder programs are delivered outdoors at places including parks, bushland and beaches - giving children a unique opportunity and freedom to learn through play with natural materials in outdoors.
The programs are educational and exciting – with a significant positive impact on a child’s development, as well as on their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
The $6000 grants will help kindergartens buy the equipment they need to run programs that focus on getting outside, playing with natural materials, and learning through activities such as climbing trees and watching wildlife.
Goulburn Region Preschool Association (GRPSA) CEO Ronni Druitt, who oversees the Tungamah and Yarrawonga Kindergartens under their Early Years Management Organisation, said the association recently completed their Strategic Plan and decided to focus their services on Bush Kinder/Nature Learning programs.
“GRPSA supports the Bush Kinder/Nature Learning initiative and endeavours to enable outdoor learning for children in its services,” Ms Druitt said.
“After our Strategic Plan was implemented, the Department of Education announced grants for Bush Kinder. GRPSA applied for eight services and was successful for five.
Especially being from a town of around 450 people, Tungamah Kindergarten and Early Childhood students enjoy getting outdoors.
“Each grant totals $6,000 and of this $6,000, $4500 needs to be used for resources and $1500 towards professional development.
“GRPSA has noticed the benefits in Bush Kinder, including reduced challenging behaviours.
“Research continually shows that playing outside makes children feel happier. And the benefit of improved mood can be achieved in as little as five minutes of outdoors time!
“With one in seven children experiencing a mental health condition by the age of 12, encouraging children to do things in early learning that will make them feel good is vital.”
Kindergartens without access to a suitable off-site location can use their grant funding to enhance the biodiversity of their existing outdoor environment.
The Victorian Government is investing $3.6 million over four years to expand bush kinder programs in up to 600 kindergarten services across Victoria which will give every Victorian child the best start to life, save families time and money, and support parents to return to work or study if they choose.
“We’re supporting kindergartens to start bush kinder programs, providing more children with opportunities to get outdoors and learn in a natural environment,” Ms Symes said.
“Bush kinder programs are not just fun and educational, they also help to keep kids active and connect them with nature – boosting their health, wellbeing and development.”
The 2024 expansion will see new bush kinder programs established in 52 local government areas, including 25 regional locations.
Bush kinder programs funded in this grant round start at the beginning of Term 3, 2024.
Applications for the 2025 round of another 150 bush kinder grants will open in the second half of 2024.
To find out which kindergartens are receiving a bush kinder grant, visit vic.gov.au/bush-kinder-grants-program.
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