Yarra City Council Mayor, Claudia Nguyen, and Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep dropped in to meet the educators at Yarra's Bush Kinder Program in Abbotsford.
Beginning in March 2022, the Bush Kinder Program was created to help children learn about First Nations history and the cultural significance of the bush environment at Yarra Bend, Abbotsford.
It was awarded the Emeritus Professor Collette Tayler Excellence in Educational Leadership Award at the 2022 Victorian Early Years Awards.
Yarra City Council Mayor, Claudia Nguyen, was joined by the Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep and the Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood to meet the educators that are leading this initiative.
"It is important to us that all members of our community are encouraged to connect with Yarra's natural and cultural heritage".
"Our Bush Kinder Program not only engages young children in their connection to land, it also recognises the voices of our Traditional Owners".
Yarra City Council developed this program in consultation with the Wurundjeri Land Council, Parks Victoria and the Merri Creek Management Committee.The program seeks to provide opportunities for unstructured play in natural spaces for children living in urban areas and teach the children the history and cultural significance of the environment.
Together, they developed a place-based Bush Kinder Program that responded to children's emerging interest in plants and animals.
Landcare custodians show children how to treat Country with respect when visiting, and wildlife safety experts shared practical skills and knowledge about the wildlife the children could encounter at Yarra Bend.
