Explorers Somerville: Learning through Nature
Explorers Somerville is not a traditional early learning centre, it's a nature-based learning precinct. Unlike a classroom that resets each day, this incredible learning environment allows learning to stretch across seasons, visits and years. Child wellbeing is at the heart of Explorers Somerville and promotes a love of outdoors and connection to nature and land.
Set among farmland on the Mornington Peninsula, Explorers Somerville is a place where Educators and eligible Explorers children step beyond the centre and into nature, travelling here for unforgettable excursion experiences.
Alongside the precinct, a new Explorers early learning centre is planned at 103 Bungower Road. The upcoming centre will offer childcare and Kindergarten for children from babies through to Kindergarten. Families can explore the Somerville childcare and Kindergarten centre and register their interest for updates while it is preparing to open.
Nature-based learning
In a world where technology increasingly dominates everyday life for children, nature-based learning offers balance. Grounded in our Reggio Emilia‑inspired philosophy, Explorers Somerville is the ultimate expression of the idea that the environment is the third teacher.
At Explorers, we believe:
- A love of nature must be nurtured early
- Outdoor learning builds care for the planet
- Children who connect with nature grow into environmentally responsible adults
At Explorers Somerville, this philosophy comes to life at scale.
Children learn differently when given physical and mental space. At Explorers Somerville, they can test ideas through real-world experiences, spark imagination without screens or distractions, and support collaboration and communication.
Nature-based learning develops holistic skills in children, including:
- Emotional regulation
- Fine motor skills (climbing and running)
- Physical strength
- Resilience
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Creativity (learning through play)
- Innovation
- Risk management
- Collaboration and teamwork (building and sharing)
- Ecological sensibility
Bush Kinder
Excursion Program
Bush Kinder is an exciting approach to early childhood education that takes learning beyond the walls of a traditional classroom and into the natural world. It gives children the opportunity to explore forests, creeks, and parks, engaging all their senses while connecting with nature.
While Bush Kinder experiences are offered across all Explorers centres, Somerville takes nature-based learning to a whole new level. Here, children lead their own learning, ask big questions, collaborate with peers, and develop a strong connection to land, materials and ideas.
When children arrive, they're welcomed into:
- Safe and secure learning structures
- Expansive natural landscapes
- Purpose-built creative and inquiry spaces
- Rich opportunities to learn about native plants and animals
- Open-ended play
- Unstructured resources
Artist in Residence
Excursion Program
Explorers Somerville is home to our Artist in Residence Program, a rare opportunity for children to work alongside professional artists in an outdoor, experimental setting. Here, creativity isn't rushed or restricted.
Children learn about new techniques, experiment with unfamiliar materials, and see their experiments evolve across sessions. For our Educators, too, these experiences are professional learning in action, allowing them to observe an artist's creative process and draw inspiration from when setting up creative spaces back at the centre.
The program values and supports:
- Process over the final outcome
- Curiosity over perfection
- Experimentation over results
- Cognitive development
- Problem-solving and persistence
- Confidence in self-expression
A Day at Explorers Somerville
Bush Kinder Excursion
8:30 – 9:15am: Excursion Preparation
Before starting the journey to Explorers Somerville, Educators begin with calm preparation at the centre. They ensure drink bottles, safety equipment and all essentials are packed. They then engage in conversations with the children and discuss their exciting bush kinder excursion to Somerville.
9:15 – 10:15am: Road Trip and Arrival
Children and Educators jump on the excursion bus and begin their adventure to Explorers Somerville. They sing songs on the journey and talk more about what they're looking forward to discovering when they arrive at the eco-precinct.
10:15 – 10:30am: Morning Tea
As soon as they arrive, children settle in and enjoy some morning tea. Their delicious and nutritious snacks made by the centre chef to spark joy and encourage further learning.
10:30 – 11:30am: Bush Kinder
After finishing their morning tea, children begin their Bush Kinder adventure by immersing themselves in the natural environment around them. Together, they explore the landscape and listen carefully for animal sounds. This helps children build confidence in nature by fostering curiosity, connection and a deeper awareness of the world around them.
11:30 – 12:00pm: Lunch
Lunch time! Children have a picnic lunch at Explorers Somerville before diving back into Bush Kinder. While doing so, they chat amongst themselves, discussing their day and what their favourite part of the excursion has been so far.
12:00 – 1:00pm: Bush Kinder Continues
In the second part of Bush Kinder, children slow down to investigate the finer details of nature. They inspect minibeasts and insects, examine trees, plants and natural materials. Children and Educators engage in thoughtful discussions, developing a deeper respect and care for living things in the process. This hands-on exploration encourages observation skills, scientific thinking and a growing appreciation for the natural environment.
1:00pm - 1:45pm: Learning Reflection
Children and Educators then pack up their belongings, return back on the Explorers bus and make the journey back to their centre. Their discoveries from their bush kinder experience at Explorers Somerville then inform their future learning experiences and projects.
Art Program
8:30 - 9:15am: Excursion Preparation
Before starting the journey to Explorers Somerville, Educators begin with calm preparation at the centre. They ensure drink bottles, safety equipment and all essentials are packed. They then engage in conversations with the children and discuss their exciting bush kinder excursion to Somerville.
9:15 – 10:15am: Road Trip and Arrival
Children and Educators jump on the excursion bus and begin their adventure to Explorers Somerville. They sing songs on the journey and talk more about what they're looking forward to discovering when they arrive at the eco-precinct.
10:15 – 10:30am: Morning Tea
As soon as they arrive, children settle in and enjoy some morning tea. Their delicious and nutritious snacks made by the centre chef to spark joy and encourage further learning.
10:30 – 11:30am: Artist in Residence
After finishing their morning tea, children begin their artist in residence experience by stepping into the role of creators and designers. During this session they work alongside professional artists, exploring and experimenting with different materials. They get to share their ideas, sketches and design conceptions, actively playing a role in the development of the art. Children are encouraged to think imaginatively and communicate their ideas with confidence.
11:30 – 12:00pm: Lunch
Lunch time! Children have a picnic lunch at Explorers Somerville before diving back into their artist in residence excursion. While doing so, they chat amongst themselves, discussing their day and what their favourite part of the excursion has been so far.
12:00 – 1:00pm: Artist in Residence Continues
In the second part of the artist in residence experience, children see their ideas transformed and brought to life. Using recycled materials such as steel wire, clay and paint, they are able to watch their initial plans and designs reimagined by a professional artist. This session strengthens creative thinking, collaboration and the understanding that children's ideas are valued, capable and worthy of being realised.
1:00pm - 1:45pm: Learning Reflection
Children and Educators then pack up their belongings, return back on the Explorers bus and make the journey back to their centre. Their discoveries from their artist in residence experience at Explorers Somerville then inform their future learning experiences and projects.
Somerville childcare and Kindergarten centre opening soon
Enquiries Now Open
Explorers Early Learning Somerville is an upcoming full early learning centre at 103 Bungower Road, Somerville. It will welcome children from babies through to Kindergarten, with childcare and Kindergarten offered in a nature-connected setting.
The new centre is distinct from the established Explorers Somerville nature learning precinct described on this page. The precinct will continue to host visiting Explorers children for Bush Kinder, Artist in Residence and other excursion experiences.
The centre is not open yet. Families can register their interest to receive updates about the opening and next steps; registering interest is not a tour booking or a guarantee of a place.
View the upcoming Somerville childcare and Kindergarten centre.
Which Centres Visit Explorers Somerville?
The following Explorers centres currently take part in regular excursions to Explorers Somerville, with more Explorers locations to be included in the future.
- Armadale
- Beaconsfield
- Brighton East
- Dandenong
- Frankston North
- Mornington
- Nunawading
- Surrey Hills Elgar Rd
- Surrey Hills Stanley Tce
A career-defining experience for educators
Explorers Somerville isn't just a one-of-a-kind learning environment for children. It is also a unique career opportunity for Educators and teachers.
As an excursion destination, Explorers Somerville inspires new possibilities back at centres.
For Educators and teachers wanting to elevate their skills and grow in their profession, Explorers Somerville is a destination that does just that. It challenges them to reflect on how children learn best, and how they can utilise nature-based learning.
After taking part in the Artist in Residence program, Explorers Frankston North Educational Leader Erin was compelled to bring what she has learnt back to the centre and reimagine their Visual Arts program.
"It motivated us to re-envision our piazza space by integrating elements of the Artist in Residence approach," Erin explained.
Be part of something extraordinary in early learning.
Register your interest
To register interest in the upcoming Somerville childcare and Kindergarten centre, send the Family Support Team your details or call us on 1300 000 335. For excursion-program information, contact your child’s Explorers centre.