Nurture in Nature

Program details

Program description

Nurture in Nature is a professional development program that builds early childhood educators’ capacity to embed nature-based play, nature pedagogy and sustainability into their day-to-day programs. The program focuses on supporting educators to grow their knowledge, skills and confidence in enhancing social and emotional learning through nature-based play. It guides educators in supporting children to have regular, meaningful, developmentally-appropriate and inclusive nature connection opportunities that support their wellbeing. The program is suitable for supporting both in-centre nature programs and out-of-centre bush, beach and nature programs.

There are 3 program packages available: Sprout, Grow and Thrive plus additional standalone program options. All packages are accessible over a 12-month period. Sprout, Grow and Thrive packages are designed to support access by up to 2 teachers/educators at a service. A whole of service team PD session is also included as part of the packages.

Additional program options can be added to any package or accessed as standalone options. The provider can customise programs to suit kindergarten service needs, goals and budget.

The Sprout package includes:

• Self-paced course: 'Strong Foundations for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through Nature Based Play’. A self-paced online learning course including 8 video modules, workbooks, reflection questions and actions to support implementation.
• Mentoring: 4 x 60-minute online mentoring/coaching and reflection sessions for Sprout participants.
• Professional learning community: 12-month membership to ‘Treehouse Educators’ – Nurture in Nature’s online Professional Learning Community. This provides access to live online training, online recordings and monthly theme materials.
• Program resources: downloadable workbooks and program resources.
• Whole team PD: Whole of kindergarten service group professional development – 1.5 hour online session: ‘Supporting Children’s Social and Emotional Learning and Development Through Nature Based Play’ or other relevant topic to be confirmed with the service. Open to all educators from the same service.

The Grow package includes everything included in the Sprout package, plus:

• Self-paced online course: ‘Pathways to Practice: Cultivating Children's SEL Through Nature-Based Play’. A self-paced online learning course including 10 video modules, workbooks, reflection questions and actions to support implementation.
• Mentoring: 4 x 60-minute online mentoring/coaching and reflection sessions for Grow participants.
• Online conference access: all access package (up to 2 program participants will receive individual log in and individual access) to the current year of Nurture in Nature’s annual online ‘Campference’.
• Whole team PD: whole of kindergarten service group professional development – 3 hour in-person professional development session on-site at the service (or off-site at a location arranged by the service). ‘Taking SEL Outside – 'Nature Based Play In Action For Supporting Children’s Wellbeing’ or other relevant topic to be confirmed with the service. Open to all educators from the same service.

The Thrive package includes everything in the Grow package, plus:

• Attendance at the current years’ in-person ‘Campference’ Teacher Nature Conference for up to 2 educators from the same services. This is Nurture in Nature’s in-person professional development conference, held once per year, running Friday to Sunday. The venue changes every 2 years. Enquire with the provider for dates and locations for the current year.
• All access package recordings (individual access) from the previous year online ‘Campference’.

Additional program options which can be added to any package or accessed as standalone options include:

• Attendance at 'Campference' Teacher Nature Conference.
• Attendance at 'Campference' Where Nature Meets Story Conference.
• 12-month individual membership to 'Treehouse Educators Membership Community'.
• Nurture in Nature Professional Development Sessions (in-person or online).
• Nurture in Nature Children's Nature Based Play Sessions which includes active educator involvement and 15-minute mentoring post-session (on-site at kindergarten service). A variety of activities and topics are available based on the service needs. Contact the provider for more information.
• Nurture in Nature Based Play Family Workshop: 'How Nature Based Play Helps Support Your Child's Learning and Development'. This includes active educator involvement and 15-minute educator reflection mentoring post-session (online or on-site at kindergarten service). Please contact the provider for session options and pricing.

Detailed cost

• Sprout package: $3,650 including GST (for up to 2 educators from the services).
• Grow package: $7,300 including GST (for up to 2 educators from the services).
• Thrive package: $9,100 including GST (for up to 2 educators from the services).

Additional teachers/educators can be added if more than 2 wish to participate in Sprout/Grow/Thrive. Please contact the provider directly for details and prices for additional teacher/educators to access package options.

Additional program elements:

Cancellation Policy

Online programs and PD

• Non-refundable: all online program and PD registrations are non-refundable, except where required under Australian Consumer Law.
• Transfer to another person: registrations may be transferred to a colleague from the same kindergarten service at no charge, up to the program start date. Notify tania@nurtureinnature.com.au or call 0409 843 965 with the new participant's details.
• Transfer to a future intake (live programs): registrations for programs with a fixed schedule may be transferred to a future intake of the same program, at Nurture in Nature Australia's discretion. Requests must be made before the program start date.
• Self-paced access: where technical issues on the Nurture in Nature Australia platform prevent access, access will be extended or reissued.
• Cancellation or discontinuation by Nurture in Nature Australia: registrations will be fully refunded or transferred to another program of equal value, at the kindergarten service's choice.

Campference (face-to-face conference)

Due to venue, accommodation and catering commitments the following applies:

• 31 or more days before the start date: 100% refund.
• 16 to 30 days before the start date: 50% refund.
• Within 15 days of the start date: no refund.
• Transfer to another person: registrations may be transferred to a colleague from the same kindergarten service at no charge, before the start date. Notify tania@nurtureinnature.com.au or call 0409 843 965 with the new participant's details.
• Cancellation by Nurture in Nature Australia: registrations will be fully refunded or transferred to a future date, at the kindergarten service's choice.

Face-to-face PD, mentoring and children's sessions

• Cancellation or postponement 31 or more days before the event: no charge on the booked service fee. Non-recoverable travel costs already booked will be charged at cost.
• Cancellation or postponement 8 to 30 days before the event: 50% of the booked service fee is payable, plus non-recoverable travel costs at cost.
• Cancellation or postponement within 7 days of the event: the full booked service fee is payable, plus non-recoverable travel costs at cost.
• Compassionate circumstances: in cases of serious illness, bereavement or natural disaster, the booked service fee may be converted to a credit note at Nurture in Nature Australia's discretion, including within 7 days of the event. Non-recoverable travel costs remain payable at cost.
• Credit note option: for cancellations or postponements 8 to 30 days before the event, the booked service fee may be converted to a credit note in place of the cancellation fee.
• Cancellation or postponement by Nurture in Nature Australia: no costs apply. Fees paid will be refunded in full or converted to a credit note, at the kindergarten service's choice.
• Credit notes: all credit notes are redeemable against Nurture in Nature Australia SRF menu items and must be used within the SRF 2027/28 cycle. Credit notes do not apply to travel costs.

Payment Schedule

• Preferred payment is by invoice via Direct Bank Transfer. Payments can be made via EFT or online with debit or credit cards for programs purchasable directly through Nurture in Nature’s website.
• Payment by invoice terms are 30 days.
• Payment must be received in full prior to registration being guaranteed and program commencement.

Implementation considerations

VEYLDF alignment

Item uses these practice principles

• Respectful Relationships and Responsive Engagement
• Integrated teaching and Learning Approaches

Item responds to these sub-outcomes

Children become strong in their social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing