On the 27th of March, the team at Gowrie Clare Court were excited to share their Out and About program with educators from rural Victoria, who came as part of the SRF Coaching Study Tour. The day aimed to celebrate the value of meaningful experiences in natural and community environments and to demonstrate how nature-based learning is intentionally embedded within our curriculum.
The visiting teams were invited to explore the Out and About program with the three-year-old group, as well as the Beach Kinder program with the four-year-old group. Educators Amanda, Maddy, and Alika presented to the group, emphasising the importance of strong, responsive relationships, thoughtful preparation, and the establishment of shared expectations such as road safety and respectful engagement with the environment to ensure children feel confident, secure, and capable during excursions.
The Study Tour participants also participated in an Out and About session alongside the three-year-old group. They observed children confidently navigating their local environment, engaging in rich conversations, and demonstrating curiosity and care for their surroundings. The experience highlighted how nature play supports children to build relationships, develop a strong sense of belonging, and construct knowledge through authentic, real-world experiences beyond the early learning setting.
Educators found particular interest in the way the program operated at the service, with one participant noting that, “it feels like a truly collaborative environment where everyone has a voice and input.”
Clare Court are looking forward to the next SRF Study Tour in September.
