WILD Ones Forest School FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about WILD Ones Forest School:
What to Bring?
What is Forest School?
Are You a School?
What Makes WILD Ones Different?
What Happens When it Rains?
What About the Heat?
Drop-Off Policy
Insurance
Payment
Cost
What Do Kids Actually Do?
About Staff
Equity
Food & Water: Pack a healthy snack or light lunch and a refillable water bottle to keep your child fuelled for their adventures.
Clothing: We recommend long pants, closed-toe shoes (ideally waterproof for winter like gum boots or sneakers for summer, not thongs please), and layers that can be adjusted for changing weather. Sunscreen and insect repellent are also a good idea. Bring a spare change of clothes (including shoes) in case of unexpected splashes or spills.
Wet Weather Gear: If rain is forecast, pack a raincoat, rain pants, and waterproof boots. Remember, puddles are part of the fun!
Forest School is an educational approach that utilises the natural environment to provide hands-on learning experiences. Through exploration, play, and discovery in the wild, children develop confidence, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. We are members of the AFSA and are guided by their principles.
While our name includes "School," WILD Ones is not a traditional school. We are an outdoor activity provider that uses the Forest School pedagogy to create engaging and enriching experiences.
WILD Ones focuses on child-led exploration in an outdoor setting. We prioritise experiential learning and fostering a love for nature, unlike programs that emphasise curriculum-based activities. Our goal is to raise environmentally curious children who are empathetic, kind, and can engage in critical thinking and have good communication skills as well as build resilience through “risky play”.
We embrace all kinds of weather! Rain offers a unique opportunity to explore the environment and learn new things. Just dress your child appropriately with rain gear and warm layers.
We are outdoors all year round. In summer we encourage frequent water breaks and will engage in water play. All children are welcome to rest at any point, should the heat be too much for them or parents are welcome to collect early if it gets too hot and you are concerned.
Drop-off policies vary depending on the program. Most programs are drop-off, while others require parent participation. Please refer to the specific program description for details in the booking zone.
WILD Ones carries comprehensive 20 million dollar liability insurance.
We offer a few options: pay for the entire term upfront, attend individual sessions on a casual basis or memberships where payments can be spread across the year (the most affordable option). Memberships are available in the booking zone and guarantees your child a space every term.
WILD Ones is an Activity Provider, not a childcare service. This means we operate independently and do not receive government subsidies. Our fees reflect the cost of providing high-quality instruction, insurance, equipment, and maintaining a safe and stimulating outdoor environment, not to mention the deeply personal coaching your child receives. We are also not registered as an Education Provider by the Department of Education or ACECQA. However as an Activity Provider we choose to work with DETE and ECIS to ensure we stay within the bounds of National Education Laws.
Every day, every location and every term are different. We pride ourselves on unique experiences. We create a term plan and guide the children on that days adventure. The facilitator might have compass and map work planned, but the children may be so engrossed in building a cubby, or side tracked by finding tadpoles, so the facilitator engages with that activity instead. In child-led experiences, we can literally spend 45mins examining a ladybug with loads of open-ended questions to help your child with critical thinking, nature exploration and science skills. Terms are planned with the seasons and will include anything from creating fire and camp cooking in winter, through to bush fire plans and snake bite first aid in summer. We also engage in whittling, making cordage, weaving, navigation, and cubby building to name a few. All of this under the close eye of the facilitator.
All staff members have national police clearance and a working with children check. Further, everyone who works with WILD Ones will have a background in at least one of the following: outdoor education, adventure, child education and program facilitation. We provide in-house training in forest school pedagogy, mentor all staff and offer opportunities for further learning.
We are on the look-out for staff for forest school and our guided adventures. Please contact us for more info by clicking the button below.
We believe all children deserve the benefits of Forest School. We offer a discounted program rate for term purchases (a week free plus 20% off) and offer memberships for the most financially friendly way of joining. However, for families experiencing financial hardship and members of marginalised communities. We collaborate with Warren Blackwood Mental Health Services to provide subsidies. Please contact them if you would like to discuss joining our program via their referral.
We are also open to alternative options of exchange (non-monetary). Please contact us to discuss these opportunities.