DoE’s Sustainability Manager offers early years programs that align strongly with the Early Years Learning Framework such as the highly popular bush kindergarten program and the nature play/loose parts program. These programs are available to all early year’s educators working with young learners in schools, child care centres, family day care and home school environments.
An innovative partnership with the Department’s Aboriginal Education Services has facilitated modelling a 4 week Bush Kinder/Outdoor Classroom Immersion Program that inspires and supports participating educators to establish outdoor learning spaces in their own schools as part of their ongoing planning and teaching.
The Learning on Country program which enables students, families/carers and community members to gain insights into knowing the land and sustainability practices of Tasmania’s First People and encourages early year’s educators to better understand and practice becoming culturally responsive. Aboriginal Education Services together with the Sustainability Learning Centre offers unique, culturally aware learning opportunities on country and about country supported by the Aboriginal Sharers of Knowledge program.
Programs available:
Birth – 8 years
- Bush Kinder/ Outdoor Classroom
- Nature Play and Loose Parts
- Aboriginal Sharers of Knowledge
- Book a session
- Or stay for the morning or day with a buddy class and experience two programs. i.e. Nature Play/Loose Parts and Aboriginal Sharers of Knowledge Learning on Country
- These programs are aimed at Launching into Learning groups, Child and Family Centre families, Kinder, Prep, Year 1 and 2 learners
Foundation – Yr 6
- Marvellous Mini Beasts
- Materials
- Aboriginal Sharers of Knowledge
- Biodiversity: Explore Mt Nelson’s ecosystems
- Water Wise: Why water? Where does it come from where does it go?
- Energy and its usage – efficiencies and opportunities
- STEM and STEAM– challenges and prototypes – Bee bot challenge
Foundation – Yr 12
- Materials and Sustainable systems
- Biodiversity
- Waste: 5 R’s What does this mean for me, my school and community?
- Housing and Design: Sustainable Design
- Nature Play and Ephemeral Art
- Systems thinking
- STEM/STEAM workshop – Future Earth
- Or create together a bespoke workshop
Partnership programs with Aboriginal Education Services
- Monday Bush Kinder – at the SLC
- open to families, carers with children pre-school age
- 9.30 am – 11 am
- during school terms
- coordinated by Aboriginal Early Years Education Worker and Educator
- Register your class or early years teams interest in the 4 week Bush Kinder/Outdoor Classroom Immersion Program
- Participate in an Aboriginal Sharers of Knowledge program along with a Science, or STEM session by staying for the morning or day with a buddy class and enabling experience of two programs
Book a program now – sustainability.learning.centre@education.tas.gov.au