Nature Playgroup

Celebrating nature play, seasonal awareness, storytelling and crafts

A 100% outdoor, all weather playgroup

Our nature playgroup is for children aged zero - four years. Unlike traditional playgroups, we are a 100% all-weather, outdoor playgroup with sessions running rain or shine.

Our relaxed sessions are designed to provide children with opportunities to engage in free, unstructured nature play and self-directed adventure. They may choose to climb trees, play in our mobile mud kitchen, build a nature cubby, search for bugs, jump in puddles, or even explore the local bushland. Children also get to help prepare our communal morning tea using real tools.

Led by qualified nature play educators, in beautiful natural settings, each session follows a gentle rhythm that revolves around seasonal awareness, storytelling, songs, nature craft, and a bush walk.

At KIN we value slow learning and connection with nature, so to fully benefit from our program, we require a full-term commitment, however, casual spaces are offered if spaces are available.

Our playgroups aim to foster a strong sense of community, and for many families, joining our playgroup has become the highlight of their week.

If our playgroup sessions sound like your kind of thing, we'd love to meet you.

Session times

9.30am - 11.00am

Schedule

Armstrong Creek- Mondays

Torquay- Tuesdays

Investment

$20 | single child | per week

$10 | for each extra sibling over the age of 1

Casual visits- $27 per child

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

To make the most of these sessions, it is essential that your child has:

Food
Water
Hat
Long pants
Closed-in shoes (compulsory)
Rain gear (wet weather only)
A spare change of clothes
Wet bag to put wet clothes in
Sunscreen
Bug Repellant

Contact:

Please email kinsurfcoast@gmail.com so that we can keep all our communications in one place. We are often out of range or in the bush running programs, so most of our administration work is done after hours. Thanks for understanding.

BOOK

Faq

FAQ

Here are the most frequently asked questions.
If there’s anything else you’d like to know, please reach out.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO EACH PROGRAM?

No matter the session, whether it be playgroup or our holiday programs, we recommend children bring the following: Food Water Closed in shoes (we recommend aqua shoes, gumboots or canvas shoes they're happy to get wet and muddy). No thongs please! Long lightweight pants to minimise the risk of bites and scratches Insect repellant/sunscreen Swimmers, rashie, towel Wet gear if rain is predicted - rain jacket, pants and gumboots Spare change (or two) of clothes and shoes
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT'S RAINING?

Then we get to jump in puddles! We go by the old Norwegian saying, “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing”. So if it’s raining, dress your child appropriately, with a rain jacket, gumboots, warm socks and weatherproof pants and send a spare set of warm clothes. It is a great chance for your child to explore and discover how our land changes in all seasons and our children quite often say that wet days are the best days!
CAN I DROP MY CHILD OFF AT YOUR PROGRAM?

Put simply: Wildlings Holiday Program (7+) - Yes Nature Playgroup- No Adventure KINdy - Yes
DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE? WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE?

KIN Surf Coast is insured under leisure liability coverage by SPORTSCOVER. Part of your weekly fee goes towards personal accident insurance for your child. Our insurance policy is very comprehensive and covers $20 million public liability.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR FOREST KINDY PROGRAM AND PLAYGROUP?

Playgroup is a two hour session, that has a heavy focus on free play, simple craft, songs and stories. Adventure Kindy is a full day program and is run by qualified Leader/s and teach children bush craft skills such as how to safely use hand tools (including bow/hand saws, whittling knives, hand drills, hammers, etc.), lighting and cooking over a camp fire, raft building, cubby making and other specialist skills and 'riskier' activities. Playgroup can be held at different locations each week whilst adventure KINdy is generally held in the same location (with the odd excursion to a different environment).
WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE ENTIRE TERM PROGRAM IN ADVANCE?

Paying for the program in advance minimises administration time, processing fees and invoices, ensuring we get to spend more time creating and running excellent programs. You can choose to pay and attend any of our weekly programs casually if you would prefer. We hope you understand.
WHY DO YOU COST 'SO MUCH'?

We are an Activity Provider, not an Education or Care Provider and therefore we do not qualify for a childcare rebate. We are not owned by a big corporation that can back us, buy in bulk and distribute profit and loss amongst many franchisees. We are not a non-profit organisation so do not have access to grants. We are a small business that needs to pay our own way. Our insurance premiums are higher than most businesses due to the perceived higher risk by insurance companies of working outdoors with children and we need more staff on the ground than most businesses due to required ratios. We hire an excellent space and we purchase ethical, sustainable, local resources wherever we can. We run an excellent, unique program and we are passionate about the benefits of taking education outdoors. We hope you understand.