General News
24 December, 2024
Kinder welcomes funding
Students at Talbot Kindergarten are preparing to put on their gumboots and investigate the wild with a new bush kinder program expected to be implemented next year.
The new program has been made possible thanks to a $6000 grant from the State Government’s Bush Kinder Grants Program, which supports the implementation or improvement of nature education programs.
Talbot Kindergarten was the only facility in the Central Goldfields awarded during the latest round of funding supporting 150 kindergartens in getting more children to enjoy the great outdoors.
Talbot Kindergarten teacher Samantha Vella said the recent grant is vital in kickstarting the new program.
“It’s a project we have been trying to implement for the last 12 months,” she said.
“Being a small kinder, we obviously lack a lot of funds at times, so this grant will give us the opportunity to purchase resources and equipment to utilise during bush kinder such as wet weather suits and magnifying glasses.
“It’s definitely a big help in getting this program up and running and we are really excited to have it ready to go hopefully next year.”
The new program aims to build on the kindergarten’s play-based learning environment, increasing students’ involvement in their education.
According to the Department of Education, the bush kinder program can have noticeable benefits for participating kids, including:
Wellbeing and physical development of strength and coordination.
Early development of educational learning topics such as science, technology, engineering and maths.
Greater appreciation of the natural environment and awareness of how to explore it safely.
“Bush kinder is all about getting out in the environment, it’s letting the children investigate, explore the play space and create their own learning opportunities using nature,” Ms Vella said.
“There is a lot of learning that occurs in the bush kinder environment, a lot of hands-on learning as they get out in the environment and use their senses.
“It also helps with mental health wellbeing and building social interactions with their peers.”