Earth Kids Homeschool Program
Earth Kids is an experiential program of outdoor discovery, in which children learn about the animals and plants at the Farm; put permaculture into practice; experiment with eco-arts and bushcraft skills; and learn from guest presenters. The program aims to support children to develop a love of place and of the animals and plants that live in this bioregion.
The program is for children aged 6 to 12 years and runs weekly from 9.30am to 12.30pm for 6 mornings each term (drop off from 9.15am and pick up until 12.45pm). Parents are welcome to stay. Volunteer places for parents (with discounted tickets for their children) are available.
We also offer a Holiday Program each school holidays. Please click here for more information.
Earth Kids Homeschool Dates 2026
Term 1 – 2026
Two sessions will be offered on Wednesday 18 February and 18 March.
Term 2 – 2026
Wednesday mornings – 6 May to 10 June. Bookings open soon.
Term 3 – 2026
Wednesday mornings – 22 July to 2 September (EKKA break on 12 August).
Term 4 – 2026
Wednesday mornings – 21 October to 25 November.
About our Earth Kids Homeschool Program
Northey Street City Farm is a wonderful learning site for children with its many shady trees, orchards, vegetable gardens, and a bush regeneration area along Enoggera Creek. The program takes a place-responsive educational approach and the sessions involve play, exploration, discovery, and learning. Activities are adapted to suit different ages and abilities.
Each session involves learning from the natural world – learning directly from this place, and the animals and plants that live here. We especially focus on the interconnections between plants, animals, the creek, the rocks, the soil and all the other parts of this place. Children have the opportunity to plant trees and other plants and then tend to them throughout the year. Children see the changes to place through the seasons, harvesting, preparing and eating seasonal produce from our vegetable gardens and fruit trees.
Attending the Earth Kids homeschool program also has many other benefits for children, including improving motor, social and self-regulating skills; building self-confidence and resilience; and learning to take reasonable risks in a safe environment.
The nature connection work of Jon Young, co-author of ‘Coyotes Guide to Connecting with Nature’, is a significant inspiration for the program. We practice ‘routines of nature connection’ like nature journaling, wandering, magic spots and more. We play games that are fun, and which also support sensory awareness and learning in nature. We also practice bushcraft skills such as shelter building, whittling, and building and tending campfires.
Each term is different, with a plant or animal theme, as well as a different element that we explore. We have a different guest presenter join us each term, covering topics such as First Nations culture and knowledge, nature journaling, bush regeneration and animal and flora found in the bioregion.
Every term each child chooses a ‘nature name’ which is a plant or animal that can be found at the farm. We use the nature names throughout the program to enable the children to build a connection with their plant or animal, as well as learn about the other children’s nature names.
We acknowledge that we learn and play on Yuggera and Turrbul land and that sovereignty has never been ceded. We know First Nations people have and continue to care for this Country and aim to learn how we can best do this too.
The program for each term is available by request. Contact Cristyan at youthedn@nscf.org.au for a copy.
We also offer a holiday program each school holidays. Please click here for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
For any other questions, please contact the Youth Education Coordinator at youthedn@nscf.org.au
Parents can opt to drop off or to stay for the sessions. We recommend that parents attend some of the sessions if they are able, to get a sense of what the children are learning.
At this stage, the Earth Kids Homeschool program accepts children aged 6-12, and occasionally 5-year-olds who come along with an older sibling or close friend and are able to follow instructions easily. If this applies to your child, please reach out to youthedn@nscf.org.au to explore the possibility.
At this stage, the Earth Kids Homeschool program accepts children aged 6–12, and occasionally 5-year-olds who attend with an older sibling or close friend. We are exploring the possibility of offering Bush Kindy sessions in the future, so keep an eye on our social media channels for updates.
Unfortunately, you can’t. From 2026, we will only accept children at the start of the term as attending the first session helps establish the stepping stones for their learning and relationships throughout the program. To make sure your family doesn’t miss out, join our Earth Kids mailing list! We promise no spam—just updates letting you know when bookings open. To express your interest, please email us at youthedn@nscf.org.au.
Hot weather: On hot days, we stay in the shade (our site has a lot of shady trees), and ensure the children drink plenty of water. Our City Farm is often cooler than surrounding areas due to all the shady trees and proximity to Enoggera Creek. Occasionally we might even put a sprinkler on for the kids to play in! On very hot days (over 35 degrees) we cancel the session and provide a refund or credit for the session.
Wet weather: We generally go ahead with sessions on rainy days. In light rain we get out and about in it! In downpours we take shelter and in prolonged rain, we run sessions suited to being undercover. If we have to cancel a session for any reason, credit will be applied for another session or a refund for that day can be made.
Please don’t do that. While we love welcoming new families to our Earth Kids community, we’re unfortunately unable to accept children who haven’t booked in advance. Due to the nature of the program and working with children, our team carefully prepares before each program to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and well-supported experience for all participants, including our educators.
Please visit the event page on Humanitix and select the First Nations ticket. If you need any assistance, please contact us at youthedn@nscf.org.au
To make our programs as accessible as possible, we offer early bird prices and low-income fees. Health Care Card holders are welcome to choose the low-income ticket rate available for most of our Earth Kids programs.
The Earth Arts Playgroup is a free play, child-led activity, ideal for children under 5, though it’s something people of all ages, including adults, can enjoy. Find more information about the Earth Arts Playgroup here.
Earth Kids is a structured paid program, for children aged 6-12, that supports children in their nature-reconnection journey. Permaculture-informed, the program offers opportunities to learn about local flora and fauna, develop empathy and leadership, and build social skills, friendships, and community. More information on our webpages: Earth Kids Homeschool and Earth Kids Holiday.
Completing Registration
Once payment has been received, and in order to complete your child’s registration, parents are required to:
1. Fill out the online enrolment form here.
2. Read through the parents’ handbook (below);
3. Sign and return the permissions form (below).
Earth Kids Parents and Guardians Handbook
NSCF Earth Kids permissions form
We look forward to inspiring your children to connect with and care for the Earth!
For enquiries please email the youth education coordinator at youthedn@nscf.org.au
Volunteering on the Earth Kids Program
Register your interest in volunteering in our youth education programs by filling out this form. The youth education coordinator will contact you.
Note that some volunteers are required to have a valid Blue Card and attend an induction before the start of the program. Kids with parents volunteering are eligible for a discounted price (conditions apply).
For enquiries, please contact the youth education coordinator at youthedn@nscf.org.au
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