About our Nature Explorers Program
The Nature Explorers program began in 2016, when the educators of Pottsville Community Preschool felt the urgency of developing a Nature Based Program for the children in the preschool and the wider community.
Nature Explorers is aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework and aims to enhance early learning experiences. In addition, we aim to have a positive influence in children's health, growth and development, while planting the seeds for their understanding of sustainability and conservation.
Our Nature Explorers program provides children with opportunities to learn through play across a
variety of local outdoor environments, using our Preschool “Headquarters” as a base. Children explore natural spaces, engage in hands-on learning experiences, and connect with the environment in meaningful ways.
Using natural materials and real tools under close educator supervision and risk-assessed
conditions, children are encouraged to be active participants in their learning. Children work
alongside educators to establish safe play boundaries, carry their own backpacks, and help set up
and pack away their learning environments.
Educators maintain active supervision at all times and follow detailed risk assessments,
authorisations, and safety procedures across all excursions and outdoor experiences, including
environments with natural hazards such as water.
Through these experiences, children develop independence, confidence, resilience, and a strong
connection to their community and the natural world.
Physical Play and Movement
Children engage in physical play and movement – walking to site, running across the dunes, balancing on logs, digging holes in the sand, constructing and building cubbies and shelters.
Each activity involves skill development and learning as they build muscles and coordination.
Develop Safe Practice
Educators support children to develop safe practice as they engage in bushcraft. They practise a range of knot tying and use these skills to construct swings, ladders, and shelters.
Creativity Through Nature
Children draw on nature to be creative every day, whether that is making 3D sculptures from sticks, leaves, bark and flowers, or creating drawings in the sand or mud.
They often use our clipboards and bush books to plan designs or document their creations, maps or signs. They engage in early literacy experiences as they do with numeracy as they measure the height of trees, the length of logs, or count the berries they collect.
Community Connections
The children develop strong connections within the community as they contribute through local programs of rubbish collecting, weeding, dune care, planting and nature research. The sustainable practices allow children to feel a great sense of pride in looking after their hometown and developing lifelong skills.
Program Overview
Our Flexible Routine
08:00 - 9:00am
Arrival & Welcome Circle
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Families arrive with children at the pre-determined location (as advised on OWNA).
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Families sign children in for attendance using the OWNA app, and apply sunscreen and insect repellent.
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Explorers set boundaries using six red ropes.
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Explorers set up the site as needed, including tarps for seating and shade, a water station, a tool area, and play resources.
Play and Learning
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Unstructured play – Explorers choose how they wish to spend their time.
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Explorers eat according to their own bodily needs. They generally enjoy a morning snack after the site is set up, followed by play, and later a lunch snack. Explorers usually sit together on the mat or in small groups on site.
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Educators are responsive to the children’s needs and interests, extending on these through play and conversation. Educators will also facilitate planned learning experiences from previous sessions.
Pack-Up
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Explorers help pack up the site.
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The group walks or takes the bus back to Headquarters (Preschool).
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Children carry their own backpacks and assist with pulling or pushing the buddy.
Approx 1:00pm
Return to Headquarters
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Explorers arrive back at Headquarters.
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Relax and have lunch.
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Engage in play and planned activities at Headquarters.
2 - 3:30pm
Pick-Up
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Educators share insights from the day with families.
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Explorers return their red hats to educators as families sign out on OWNA.
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Children are then the responsibility of their parents.
We follow a flexible and responsive routine that adapts to the needs, interests and rhythms of the children each day.
Nature Explorers FAQ
What age group is the Nature Explorers program for?
The Nature Explorers program is specifically designed for children aged 3 to 5 years, focusing on developmental milestones suitable for preschool-aged curiosity and physical ability.
When does the program run?
The program runs during standard preschool hours, typically from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Specific excursion days vary by term to ensure all children have the opportunity to participate in meaningful learning.
Are there additional fees for Nature Explorers?
The Nature Explorers sessions are included in our standard daily fees. We believe nature-based learning should be accessible to all our enrolled families as a core part of our curriculum.
What should my child bring for outdoor sessions?
Children should bring a small, manageable backpack containing a water bottle, a broad-brimmed hat, a change of clothes, plus a wetbag - all clearly labeled. We recommend sturdy, closed-toe shoes and layers suitable for the day's weather.
Can I drop my child off prior to 8am and pickup after 3:30pm?
Parents are advised to only drop off their child after the 8am start, and pickup before 3:30pm as Nature Explorers is not licensed to care for children outside of those set times.
What is the educator to child ratio for the Nature Explorers program?
Each 2-day session (Monday and Tuesday; Thursday and Friday) caters to 20 children in our Nature Explorers program, and we have 4 dedicated educators with a variety of qualifications ranging from Early Childhood Teachers, Diploma, and Cert III.
What if bad weather is predicted?
Weather information will be obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology's website. At all times we will err on the side of caution.
In the case of extreme weather, information will be posted on our childcare app. Every effort will be made to notify families in advance if a session requires alteration.
Do children have set meal times?
At Nature Explorers, children are encouraged to eat when they are hungry. As each individual household has different routines, these are respected and acknowledged by offering children the opportunity to eat when they are hungry. Educators check children’s lunch boxes to ensure that children have eaten and drunk water throughout the day.
Do you offer a trial day of Nature Explorers?
We do not offer trial days. Developing a sense of belonging takes time, and one day does not reflect the experience of being a settled member of Nature Explorers. We also have a responsibility to our current children, whose sense of safety and group cohesion can be affected by offering trials.
How do we enrol or join the waitlist?
The first step is to join our waitlist and select the specific 2-day program you wish to be considered for. You can also select one or all programs available. Our administration team is also available to help guide you through the enrolment process.