Forest School S.A
About our Forest Classes
Pre-School Class
In 2026 we will be offering a pilot Forest School program for 3-4 year olds. The Pre-School Class offers a warm and unhurried rhythm of the day where children play, explore, and learn through meaningful experiences in the natural world.
Our mornings begin with free exploration and imaginative play — climbing, digging, gathering, and creating with natural materials. The children work alongside educators in simple, purposeful tasks such as grinding herbs, sweeping paths, or preparing food. We share a wholesome morning tea and early lunch together, fostering gratitude, independence, and a sense of belonging.
Each session flows through moments of movement, story, song, and stillness — nurturing early language, rhythm, coordination, and emotional confidence. Through seasonal stories and songs, the children come to recognise patterns in nature and in themselves.
Rather than formal instruction, learning arises organically through play, imitation, and discovery. The program gently supports school readiness by cultivating the foundational skills children need for life:
-Physical development through balance, coordination, and outdoor movement
-Social and emotional growth through play, cooperation, and empathy
-Cognitive readiness through storytelling, rhythm, and imaginative problem-solving
-Independence and self-care through shared meals, dressing for the weather, and tidying together
The Pre-School Class provides a nurturing first step for children to grow in confidence, connection, and curiosity before beginning their formal schooling or homeschooling journey.
This program operates independently and does not require formal school or childcare enrolment status and Forest School SA welcomes children from all backgrounds and educational pathways, including homeschoolers and those with alternative learning or health choices.
Primary Class (5-13)
At Forest School SA, learning unfolds in nature through curiosity, creativity, and connection.
Our mixed-age groups allow younger children to learn through imitation and older children to grow in leadership and care. We intentionally craft a balanced cohort so the group becomes a living, breathing community.
With a high ratio of educators to children, each student is seen and supported as an individual. Lessons in literacy and numeracy arise naturally through meaningful experiences—measuring, building, storytelling, journaling, and discovery in the natural world. Every child has personal learning goals, nurtured through individual projects, handwork, and construction using real tools and natural materials.
Our work is curriculum-aligned yet deeply rooted in nature immersion, movement, and practical learning. Through the seasons, children come to know themselves, their peers, and the earth beneath their feet—not only as a place to learn, but as a teacher itself.
A Day at Forest School
For our Primary school group, each day at Forest School follows a gentle, familiar rhythm that helps children feel grounded, capable, and connected.
We begin with morning circle, where songs, verses, and numeracy games awaken our minds and bodies. Together we set intentions for the day before heading out for a walk through the forest—checking on our veggie garden, noticing changes in the land, and greeting the creatures who share our space.
After movement time, children help with morning tea preparation and enjoy free play, building friendships and exploring their own ideas in nature.
The main lesson follows, where literacy comes alive through story, rhythm, and play. Our weekly theme guides the activities, from science and storytelling to art and craft.
Later in the day, students work on their individual projects, developing focus and confidence as they follow their own learning pathways. We then gather again for lunch preparation and shared meal time, a quiet moment of community and care.
Afternoons are devoted to handwork, art, or construction, where children learn practical skills and creative expression using natural materials. We end the day with a wellbeing lesson, a few joyful games, and a goodbye circle to reflect on our time together.
What to Bring
We ask students to bring a backpack with a water bottle, hat, spare change of clothes including socks and shoes, one fruit and one vegetable to contribute to our shared morning/afternoon tea and lunch. We provide a vegetarian menu and can accommodate all dietary needs if specified in the booking form. If students would rather bring their own lunchbox for sensory/ dietary needs please let us know beforehand.
We recommend students wear long pants and enclosed shoes for general bush safety.
If the weather is rainy we recommend wet weather gear including rain pants, rain jacket and gumboots.
Water refills and sunscreen are available on site.
Classes meet at 9 am at the BMX park
If running late please call 0481853505 as we may be on our walk
