Explorers Brighton East: A Bush Kinder Program Like No Other

At Explorers Early Learning, the beach isn’t a break from the classroom – it is the classroom. The Explorers Brighton East Bush Kinder Program is redefining how children learn, encouraging exploration and ownership.

At Explorers Early Learning Brighton East, Educators are redefining what early education looks like. You won’t find them sitting behind desks or confined by classroom walls. Instead, they’re often found with sand between their fingers, the ocean breeze in their hair, and eyes wide with wonder as they explore the tide’s secrets.

This is what Bush Kinder at Explorers Early Learning Brighton East is all about. An immersive outdoor education experience that provides children with the chance to examine different environments, learn more about nature and explore.

While Bush Kindergarten programs are an emerging practice in early childhood across Australia, what makes our Brighton East centre stand out is its unique access to the beach. It’s not just nature play – it’s deep, inquiry-driven learning in one of the most dynamic environments natures has to offer.

A Bush Kinder Program Like No Other

At its core, the Bush Kinder program offered at Explorers centres is about taking learning outdoors and serves as a crucial part of our Kindergarten cirriculum. Funded by the Victorian Government, the initiative enables children to explore natural settings in a structured yet flexible way, moving beyond classroom walls to ignite curiosity and deepen understanding of the world around them.

At Brighton East, the concept has evolved into a truly special part of the Explorers experience. Their proximity to the coast allows them to take the program to the next level – literally bringing the classroom to the beach.

“The beach offers a dynamic environment that is constantly changing,” explains Lauren Brookes, an Educator at the centre.

“Each week we notice something new. Whether it’s the tide changing the landscape, different shells washing up, or changes in the texture of the sand.”

Lauren has been a part of the Brighton East team since early 2023 and has seen firsthand how these outdoor excursions bring a whole new dimension to learning.

“Our Bush Kinder program has become a purposeful extension of our inquiry-based project and conceptual framework. It aligns seamlessly with our research focus on our imprint on ocean ecosystems.”

From the Centre to the Sea: A Day in Bush Kinder

For the children, a day of Bush Kinder is a big adventure – one that’s carefully planned and intentionally executed. What’s more, the learning doesn’t start at the beach; it begins long before the sand.

“The children are involved from the beginning,” says Edwina, Educational Leader at the centre. “We start in the classroom, asking what they’re curious about. We talk about road safety, how to catch the bus, and how to be respectful of the environment and each other.”

With safety gear in hand and high-visibility vests on, the children and Educators walk to the local bus stop to begin their journey. A short bus ride takes them to Middle Brighton, followed by a walk to the beach. Once there, the group gathers for an Acknowledgment of Country, grounding the experience in respect and connection to land and culture.

“There’s usually a pre-planned lesson,” Edwina explains. “It might be nature bingo, sketching the landscape in their workbooks, or counting the boats on the horizon. The learning is purposeful but flexible, it evolves with the children’s interests.”

After 45 minutes to an hour of learning, reflection, and snack time, the children begin their walk back. As they make their way back to the centre, the children often collect natural materials to investigate further once they return.

“Our journeys are just as meaningful as our time at the beach,” Lauren adds. “The children connect with community members, practice real-world skills like catching public transport, and learn how to navigate their environment with independence.”

A Shared Commitment to Joy and Inquiry

The beach excursions also reflect the centre’s deep commitment to joyful learning, a pillar of the Explorers Learning for Life curriculum.

“Bush Kinder ties into the ‘joy aesthetics’ of our approach,” Edwina explains. “There’s beauty in learning outside, in the way light reflects on water, in the laughter as children splash at the shore. It’s about engaging the senses and the soul.”

This joy is evident in the children’s faces. Whether they’re sketching shells, gathering seaweed for science experiments, or simply running barefoot through the surf, the images tell a compelling story of education at its most vibrant.

Lauren adds: “There’s a sense of magic when we arrive at the beach. The children are fully immersed, without distraction. It’s a space where learning feels natural, not forced.”

Learning Through Nature & Nurture

Bush Kinder at Brighton East is about more than exploration. It’s a powerful tool for holistic development. Whether it’s climbing a tree or using natural materials in creative play, the program supports physical, emotional, and cognitive growth.

“Children engage in risky play, which helps build resilience and confidence,” says Lauren. “They’re free to explore, collaborate, problem-solve, and express themselves in a variety of ways.”

This aligns strongly with the Reggio Emilia Approach, a foundational philosophy of the Explorers Early Learning curriculum. Reggio sees children as competent, capable learners who deserve agency in their own education. It places equal value on the child, the educator, and the environment, known as the ‘third teacher’.

“Bush Kinder really reflects that,” Edwina notes. “Children lead their own learning through inquiry. The beach becomes a giant, living classroom where their curiosities are taken seriously.”

Indeed, many of the centre’s projects stem directly from questions raised during Bush Kinder. One group might begin an investigation into marine pollution after spotting plastic waste; another might launch a research project into tides or sea creatures. It’s education that’s relevant, responsive, and richly contextual.

Preparing for Life – Not Just for School

Another key advantage of the Bush Kinder program is how well it supports school readiness. Rather than relying on rote learning, the focus is on developing transferable life skills.

“Resilience, independence, self-regulation, and problem-solving are all fundamental to school readiness,” says Lauren. “At Bush Kinder, children develop these skills in real-world settings.”

From learning how to stay safe on public transport to confidently navigating a new environment, the experiences offered at Brighton East go far beyond traditional kindergarten preparation.

“The children are empowered,” Lauren adds. “They’re not just being told what to do, they’re making decisions, taking initiative, and building real confidence that will support them far beyond their early years.”

Connection, Community & Care

What also makes the program so impactful is how it nurtures a sense of connection. Connection to the land, the community, and each other. Every outing reinforces the idea that learning doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s relational, collective, and grounded in care.

“The children are learning to be citizens,” Edwina says. “They’re connecting with their local environment and understanding their place within it.”

This includes developing a strong sense of sustainability and responsibility. The children regularly collect litter from the beach, discuss the impact of boats and pollution, and bring their findings back to the classroom for further exploration.

“They’re learning that their actions matter,” Lauren adds. “That’s a powerful lesson at any age.”

The Explorers Brighton East Bush Kinder Program is a gateway to discovery. A place where children are given the respect, agency, and opportunities they deserve. With its innovative Bush Kinder program, strong pedagogical foundations, and access to the beach, it’s setting a benchmark for what early childhood education can, and should, look like.

“It’s a joy to watch the children grow in confidence, curiosity and care for the world around them. The beach isn’t just a destination, it’s a partner in their learning journey,” reflects Lauren.

To tour Explorers Brighton East or one of our other beautiful centres, please click here.

Otherwise, check out our website to register your interest at Explorers Early Learning today!