FOREST SCHOOL

Early childhood is like a beautiful season, children need time to ponder, explore, discover, and become curious. Opportunities to challenge themselves, develop life skills and immerse themselves in active free child-led play. Children naturally flourish by challenging their own bodies at their own pace, have opportunities to negotiate, be part of a team, develop social skills, be innovative and use their imagination. The world needs innovative and creative people and we believe in developing critical thinking skills. An example of this would be children using their imagination to see colours in the wind, hear the sounds of the earth not just compartmentalised knowledge - we value the ‘whole child.’ When you think back on your most memorable childhood memories, I can guarantee you that it involved a sensory rich experience and that is why it remains a childhood memory. Connecting with nature is a child’s rite of passage, children need to connect with place and culture.

We teach children ‘how to think’ not what to think as they develop confidence, resilience, grit, and determination. In addition, we ‘respond’ rather than react.

We take time to ‘be present’ and value the therapeutic qualities nature play provides. We recognise and celebrate each child’s individual journey and the endless opportunities it provides.

Our Acknowledgement to Country….Here is the land…. And here is the sky…Here are my friends….And here am I. We would like to say thank you to the Wangerriburra people from the Yugumbeh group for letting us share their land. We promise to look after it…The birds…The trees… The snakes… and the people too!

With our hands, our hearts and our heads.

Words by Georgie, Teacher/Director

C&K has cared for and educated for over one million children since we were established in 1907. We have over 330 kindergartens and childcare centres around Queensland, and as a not-for-profit organisation, children come first in everything we do. Find out more about us www.candk.asn.au