Case Studies
Little Learners EDEC Nature Kindergarten
Design Feature
Type of project
Placemaking
State
Western Australia
Location
Urban
In 2017, Little Learner’s Early Development & Education Centre, established Western Australia’s first Nature Kindergarten in White Gum Valley. Inspired by Scandinavian models of learning, a nature kindergarten or ‘forest school’ is a form of pre-school education that allows children to play, learn and explore exclusively in the outdoors.
Back to basics
The project involved the redevelopment of an underutilised playground into a nature-based learning facility that supports holistic development for young children. The purpose-built space facilitates the implementation of a learning program based on a ‘child-first emergent curriculum’. This style of teaching values a child’s curiosity, problem solving, questions, and theories, which are addressed through nature-based play.
The project was informed by research suggesting that learning outcomes can be enhanced in a nature-based environment.
To ensure the project respected the environment and its traditional owners, community consultation and planning was carried out with organisations including the Clontarf Foundation, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Bindi Bindi Dreaming and the City of Fremantle’s Aboriginal Engagement Officer. The project design was further informed through collaboration with NaturePlay WA, KidSafe WA and the architectural/designers/landscapers of the Nature Kindergarten – Nature Based Play.
The project was informed by research suggesting that learning outcomes can be enhanced in a nature-based environment.
To ensure the project respected the environment and its traditional owners, community consultation and planning was carried out with organisations including the Clontarf Foundation, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Bindi Bindi Dreaming and the City of Fremantle’s Aboriginal Engagement Officer. The project design was further informed through collaboration with NaturePlay WA, KidSafe WA and the architectural/designers/landscapers of the Nature Kindergarten – Nature Based Play.
The facility promotes the establishment of life skills for young children, which are enhanced through engagement with the thoughtfully designed outdoor environment. For example, the nature kindergarten allows children to develop confidence in areas including arts, music, literacy, natural science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Using local and recycled materials connects children to their environment, and generates a sense of place
In addition to academic benefits, the physical design of the nature kindergarten allows children to learn practical skills such as how to cross a river creek bed, walk along logs, jump off tree stumps, whittle, light a fire, use hand tools, navigate uneven terrain and more, encouraging physical and cognitive activity that meets the needs and interests of different age groups.
Using local and recycled materials connects children to their environment, and generates a sense of place
In addition to academic benefits, the physical design of the nature kindergarten allows children to learn practical skills such as how to cross a river creek bed, walk along logs, jump off tree stumps, whittle, light a fire, use hand tools, navigate uneven terrain and more, encouraging physical and cognitive activity that meets the needs and interests of different age groups.
The evidence-based design features a functioning man-made creek with rock boulders, pebbles and several logs that cross the creek, a mud pit, outdoor open fire pit with a seated communal gathering circle made from natural wooden logs, hollowed logs for hiding, numerous wooden logs for balancing, climbing, jumping , wooden steppers and various sand pits.
The Nature Kindergarten has inspired a range of learning experiences that connect children to their land and community
Other features include a balancing rope that allows children to practice the vestibular motion, a vast selection of native Western Australian trees and shrubs along with a sustainable Aboriginal bush tucker garden, worm farm, chicken coop and compost bin.
The Nature Kindergarten has inspired a range of learning experiences that connect children to their land and community
Other features include a balancing rope that allows children to practice the vestibular motion, a vast selection of native Western Australian trees and shrubs along with a sustainable Aboriginal bush tucker garden, worm farm, chicken coop and compost bin.
Uniquely, the program introduces young children to principles of global sustainability, and acknowledges the rich multicultural heritage and diversity of Australia through teachings of Aboriginal culture. These lessons are enhanced through the student’s engagement with the natural environment, and generate a sense of place not only in the learning environment, but for children in their wider community. The program additionally provides opportunities for children to build self-esteem, resilience and motivation – all of which are critical to health and wellbeing. The project has effectively enhanced a community facility to provide a green space that supports physical, mental, cognitive and emotional wellbeing, while simultaneously generating a strong sense of place for students and the community.
Throughout the year the Centre regularly hosts incursions where they invite other members of the community such as representatives from Gilmore College and Wild Movement Perth to come and engage the children in all manner of experiences such as learning about Aboriginal culture and understanding and experiencing life skills such as the use of
Throughout the year the Centre regularly hosts incursions where they invite other members of the community such as representatives from Gilmore College and Wild Movement Perth to come and engage the children in all manner of experiences such as learning about Aboriginal culture and understanding and experiencing life skills such as the use of
Project team
- Nature Based Play
- Department of Aboriginal Affairs
- City of Fremantle
- Gilmore College
- Clontarf Foundation
Project cost
$140, 000 (approximately)
Health value
- The project provides opportunities for physical activity and outdoor play. It encourages and supports the development of healthy behaviours at a young age, which can be continued later in life.
- It provides opportunities for creative learning and problem-solving, which assists with building resilience, self-esteem and confidence.
- The kindergarten improves immune health from exposure to the outdoor environment.
- Being outdoors and close to nature may improve mental health and wellbeing.
- The Nature Kindergarten includes a wooden burl known as a ‘Giving Bowl’. Families are encouraged to go out on weekends with their children and collect a wide variety of natural materials that the children then bring to the Giving Bowl for ‘show and tell’. These are used throughout their day and as part of their play-based learning. This encourages parents to continue the outdoor engagement with their children outside of their attendance at the Centre.
Economic value
The kindergarten facilitates a teaching model that is shown to enhance learning outcomes - which may give children a ‘head start’, and support future educational outcomes for children in the long-term.
Environmental value
- The Nature Kindergarten includes trees, logs, steppers and stumps all of which were sustainably sourced. In addition, there is a wooden fence, music wall and screen which were hand crafted and made from wooden planks that have been recycled from previous sites completed by Nature Based Play. Nature Based Play have ongoing access to a site that allows them to sustainably source and hand select wooden logs, branches and stumps for each project that they undertake.
- The Nature Kindergarten also incorporates various green spaces, this has been achieved by the planting of numerous native Western Australian trees and shrubs. The carefully selected native plants provide variety and shade - including paperbark, Albany Woolly and Peppermint.
Social value
- Provides opportunities for children to participate in team-based problem-solving activities which assists with building resilience, social skills and capacity.
- Provides opportunities for different types of social connection and engagement, creating a sense of place for children and parents.
- Provides opportunities for children to undertake risk/benefit analyses, which supports safe behaviour and responsible decision making.
Use value
- The facility offers a framework for an evidence-based learning program that supports various health and life skill outcomes for children.
- Little Learners EDEC participated in the Western Australian ‘PLAY Spaces and Environments for Children’s Physical Activity’ Study (PLAYCE), which aims to develop a checklist to support services in meeting the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care ‘Physical Environment’ standards. The checklist will assist services in identifying ways to improve the quality of their physical environment to better support children’s physical activity, health and development.
Stay informed. Sign up to our newsletter.
I agree that I have read and I accept the Heart Foundation's Privacy Statement.