Choosing a site
In planning an outdoor learning program to be held offsite*, choosing the site is crucial. Educators who are involved with us here in the ECO Learning Network operate at a variety of different kinds of sites away from their kindergarten or LDC campus.
Westgarth Bush Kinder operates at a bushland site in the Darebin Parklands. Balnarring Preschool has a program at the beach. Coburg Children's Centre walks children down quiet streets and along the Merri Trail to a site on the banks of the Merri Creek. Kallista Kindergarten runs its Nature Kindergarten program in the George Tindale Memorial Gardens which is a carefully tended public garden with a mix of tall gums and showy introduced plants. Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne host sessions.
Educators in these programs have discussed some considerations in choosing a site:
For educators who are used to working in buildings and grounds that have been licensed as children's services, the idea of taking children away from the safe base of the centre can be a huge challenge. However, innovative and resourceful educators have shown that it is possible to meet regulatory requirements and provide high quality learning experiences in a range of settings away from home base.
*Not all outdoor learning programs are held offsite.
Westgarth Bush Kinder operates at a bushland site in the Darebin Parklands. Balnarring Preschool has a program at the beach. Coburg Children's Centre walks children down quiet streets and along the Merri Trail to a site on the banks of the Merri Creek. Kallista Kindergarten runs its Nature Kindergarten program in the George Tindale Memorial Gardens which is a carefully tended public garden with a mix of tall gums and showy introduced plants. Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne host sessions.
Educators in these programs have discussed some considerations in choosing a site:
- how far away is the site and how is it accessed
- how will children get there
- what kinds of boundaries exist or are needed
- what equipment might have to be brought in
- what hazards does the area present and can they be adequately controlled
- who owns the site and what permissions are needed
- what impact will regular use have on the site itself
For educators who are used to working in buildings and grounds that have been licensed as children's services, the idea of taking children away from the safe base of the centre can be a huge challenge. However, innovative and resourceful educators have shown that it is possible to meet regulatory requirements and provide high quality learning experiences in a range of settings away from home base.
*Not all outdoor learning programs are held offsite.