Escaping to a local property, the classroom walls disappear and the kids’ imaginations get to run literally wild.
They build fortresses out of sticks, toast marshmallows on supervised campfires, splash about and even catch fish in the nearby creek.
For teacher Cindy Smith, the Bush Kinder program is vital to reconnecting these kids to nature in an ever-growing digital world.
“We don’t bring anything with us... it’s just the logs and the rocks and the creek path,” Ms Smith said.
“(The children) just love being out there and being in nature.”
The program gives children the chance to play at parks, bushland and beaches, where children can climb, explore and discover different habitats outside the classroom.
While Colbinabbin’s Bush Kinder program has been running in the winter for three years, the initiative has been in place at kindergartens across the state for the past decade.
And as they head into their fourth year of the program, the educators have gotten a leg up from some Victorian Government funding, along with other local kindergartens Goodstart Early Learning Echuca, and Shine Bright Lockington and Echuca Central.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said the government was proud to fund a program that encourages children to reconnect with nature through schooling.
“Every child, from regional communities to our smallest suburbs, deserves the change to learn in nature... to explore and discover,” she said.
“Bush Kinder gives them that freedom.”
With the extra funding Ms Smith said the preschool will be able to continue expanding the program, wanting to buy new waterproof gear and equipment as well as specialised camping gear.
“We’re really hoping to expand it,” Ms Smith said.
“It’s just such a great program for the kids.”
