ABOUT COOEE KIDS
Cooee Kids provide the next generation of nature explorers a safe, immersive and encouraging environment that allows kids and their families opportunities to get active, learn, connect with nature and create fond memories and lasting friendships.
It is our belief that kids need to be kids and enjoy the freedom to explore, get dirty, be creative, connect with nature through unstructured outdoor play and to just be. This is essential for the mental and physical health of childhood.
We provide these opportunities in our playgroup, bush and beach kindy, and home school programs throughout the school term across various locations on the Southern Gold Coast. Then in the holidays, we offer half and full day holiday nature play programs. These programs are suitable for the ages ranging from 2-12 years.
But it is not just the kids that love our programs, it’s parents too as they can watch their children enjoy a fun activity (and join in!), meet other parents in the Cooee Kids community and see what new skills their child will develop each time they visit.
So, let’s put down the screens and go green!
A note from Fiona Ballantine
– Director & Early Childhood Educator
After a successful career in Payroll Management and starting a family, I realised just how important our role is in enriching our children’s lives. So I decided it was time to take a leap of faith and follow my passion; sharing with the next generation my love of the great outdoors and exploring in nature.
Seeing children grow and develop in confidence, tackle challenges, overcome fears, use their imaginations and make new friends is such a delight.
So, when you are ready, come and say ‘Cooee’!
Qualifications
Level 3 Bush Kindy Leader
Cert 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care
Cert 3 in Outdoor Recreation
Cert 4 in Environmental & Adventure Tourism
Cert 4 in Training and Assessing
First Aid in an Education Setting, CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma
Current Blue Card – Working with Children
Qualifications
Level 3 Bush Kindy Leader
Cert 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care
Cert 3 in Outdoor Recreation
Cert 4 in Environmental & Adventure Tourism
Cert 4 in Training and Assessing
First Aid in an Education Setting, CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma
Current Blue Card – Working with Children
Safety is Our Number 1 Priority
At Cooee Kids we take safety very seriously, that is why we have strict ratios, comprehensive risk assessments, policies and procedures.
Our programs are facilitated by qualified and experienced nature play workers who hold a Blue Card and First Aid qualifications.
The Benefits of Nature Play
Nature play improves every aspect of a child’s development from their physical to social, cognitive, mental and emotional wellbeing.
It is proven to enhance children’s mood and self-regulation skills, reduce stress, anxiety and increases energy levels. Nature play can strengthen the immune system, decrease rates of obesity and provide sensory stimulation.
Playing outdoors in nature encourages movement, increases flexibility, gross motor skills, improves balance and co-ordination, improves vision, builds confidence and independence, teaches problem-solving skills, fosters social connections, builds friendships, teaches healthy risk taking with plenty of creativity and imaginative play too.
Nature play promotes a deeper understanding and respect for the environment, plus it builds community connections and relationships.
Cooee Kids & Home Schooling
Cooee Kids provide an opportunity for home school families to come together once a week to add nature play, outdoor skills, sustainability, and environmental awareness in their learning activities.
Our aim is to contribute and grow as a community and to provide a safe and respectful space that is inclusive for children from 4-10 years old.
Younger children benefit from older mentors and older children develop leadership skills and a sense of responsibility.
This program will embrace your child’s imagination and creativity through child-led projects and unstructured play.
Our Precious Environment
Cooee Kids is passionate about educating children to be Eco-conscious by promoting a deeper understanding and respect for the local natural environment. Children who have positive experiences in nature are more likely to care for the environment throughout their lifetime.
We teach kids “the three R’s mantra” Reduce, Reuse and Recycling to reduce their waste, reuse materials, and recycle what’s left over.