Early Learning Centre (ELC)

From the Director, Lauren Hughes

Sparks and Sticks: ELC Team kicks off the Term with Nature Play Professional Development

On Tuesday afternoon, our Early Learning Centre team swapped their traditional planning tools for whittling knives, flint, and tree branches!

We were thrilled to host Climbing Tree, renowned specialists in designing and facilitating nature play environments that inspire children to explore, create, and connect deeply with the natural world.

Our staff stepped directly into the shoes of the children, experiencing firsthand the magic and learning that outdoor adventure can provide:

Cubby House Building: Working in teams, educators put their collaboration and engineering skills to the test, using natural materials to construct imaginative and surprisingly sturdy shelters.

Whittling: Learning safe tool-handling techniques, staff experienced how whittling fosters incredible focus, fine motor control, patience, and mindfulness.

Fire Making: Using traditional fire-lighting techniques and plenty of patience, educators practised building and safely managing a small fire, discovering how such experiences can teach risk management, resilience, and confidence.

At our Centre, we believe that nature is one of our greatest educators. Engaging in carefully supervised "risky play", such as using real tools or learning about fire safety, helps build resilience, problem-solving skills, confidence, and self-regulation in young learners.

As Psalm 19:1 reminds us:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

By helping children connect with nature, we nurture a sense of wonder, gratitude, and stewardship for the beautiful world God created.

When children are trusted to navigate reasonable risks within a safe and supportive environment, their confidence soars.

This hands-on professional learning directly supports the National Quality Standard (NQS), particularly:

Quality Area 3 (Physical Environment): Designing indoor and outdoor spaces that encourage exploration, active play, and engagement with the natural environment (Element 3.2.1 & 3.2.3).

Quality Area 1 (Educational Program and Practice): Enhancing child-led learning, agency, and purposeful risk-taking (Element 1.1.2).

Nature play is about so much more than simply playing outside. It gives children the space, freedom, and authentic experiences they need to test their limits, collaborate with others, solve problems, and develop a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.

The ELC team walked away from Tuesday's session inspired, energised and, while smelling a little like a campfire, full of new ideas! At our next staff meeting, we will come together to collaborate and plan how these experiences can be safely incorporated into our learning environments.

Throughout the term, you'll see us weaving hands-on nature experiences and outdoor learning opportunities into our daily programs. Keep an eye out for fresh outdoor projects, new natural elements in our play spaces, and plenty of stories from engaged and enthusiastic learners!