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 of age and runs weekly from 9.30am to 12.30pm for 8 mornings each term (drop off from 9.15am and pick up until 12.45pm). All parents are welcome to stay. Volunteer places for parents (with discounted tickets for their children) are available.
Earth Kids Homeschool Program Dates for 2023
- Term 1: Wednesday mornings, 1 February to 22 March
- Term 2: Wednesday mornings, 26 April to 14 June
- Term 3: Wednesday mornings, 19 July to 13 September (break for Ekka holiday)
- Term 4: Wednesday mornings, 11 October to 29 November
See our school holiday program page HERE
About the 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. The program links to the curriculum in a myriad of ways, not only for Science, but also English, Mathematics, the Arts and more. 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. For example, in 2023, term 1 will have a focus on invertebrates and earth, term 2 on plants and fire, term 3 on birds and air and term 4 on vertebrates and water. We have a different guest presenter join us each term, covering topics such as First Nations culture and knowledge, nature journaling, bush regeneration and learning about specific animals 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 ceeded. 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.
Bookings
Term 4 Earth Kids Homeschool program – bookings HERE
Completing registration
Once payment has been received, and to complete your child’s registration, parents are required to:
- Fill out the online enrolment form HERE
- Read through the parents’ handbook (below);
- 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 Cristyan at youthedn@nscf.org.au
Prices for Earth Kids Homeschool Program
**All prices are inclusive of GST and the Eventbrite booking fee**
| Early bird fees (per term) | First child | Additional children |
| General | $340 | $300 |
| Low income / Health Care Card (parent as HCC holder) | $260 | $220 |
| Full fees (per term) | First child | Additional children |
| General | $380 | $340 |
| Low income / Health Care Card (parent as HCC holder) | $300 | $260 |
| Other fees (limited tickets available) | |
| Single Session – general | $55 |
| Single Session – HCC / low income | $45 |
| Part scholarship places (term)* | $200 |
| Child with Parent volunteer (term)* | $200 |
*Three part-scholarship places are available at $200 per child for parents with Health Care Cards. There are also limited places for children with a parent who volunteers at $200. Contact Cristyan at youthedn@nscf.org.au, if you are interested in either of these options.
Volunteering on the Earth Kids Homeschool Program
Volunteers are required to attend an induction prior to the Earth Kids program. Non-parent volunteers are required to have a current blue card.
For a discounted place, parents are required to attend at least 6 of the 8 sessions in a term.
For more information on volunteering, please contact the Youth Education Coordinator at youthedn@nscf.org.au
Earth Kids Homeschool Program Testimonials
What children have told us about the Earth Kids program:
“Earth Kids is an amazing place! You can make friends very easily. It’s very fun and I like doing the activities” – Nicole, age 12.
“It’s awesome and very, very fun” – Aaliyah, age 9.
“I liked building the shelter and doing games. I also liked gardening and I learned a lot about trees” – Erica, age 8.
“I learn a lot about caring for Earth and nature” – Magnus, age 6.
“I love it! I love climbing the trees. I love how Bruce came over and let us taste bush tukka, it was really yum. I love my nature name” – Hunter, age 7.
What parents have told us about the Earth Kids program:
“It’s like building connection to land within a city surrounds – this connection is so important for all of us” Davina, volunteer parent.
“We were lucky to come across the Homeschool Earth Kids program after a post on Facebook. Little did we know what an important part of our life the Northey Street City Farm would be for us. We found Earth Kids to be a welcoming safe place to make new friendships. Connecting with nature and our body also helped us to stay grounded throughout a big transition. I have been volunteering for 3 terms and have learnt a lot. Each week my girls and l look forward to the session and new adventures. We are more in tune with nature and have learnt to appreciate all native trees and animals we used to ignore or did not know much about. All the games, art, crafts, and gardening activities are very educational. Each term an expert is invited to give a very interesting talk and every week Emma also suggests more activities for additional learning at home. Earth Kids is a very relaxing space to connect with beautiful people in a little green oasis next to the city. Thanks again to the amazing teachers for having us.” – Paola, volunteer parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I stay or drop off?
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.
How does the program link to the curriculum?
The program links to the curriculum in a myriad of ways, not only for Science, but also English, Mathematics, the Arts and more. In 2023 we will be providing parents with a list of suggested curriculum links related to the activities we are doing. We also have a shared folder with resources for parents related to the topics we are learning each week. Each week we offer some suggestions for home activities to build on the content and themes of the Earth Kids sessions.
How can attending for more than one term be beneficial?
Each term has a different theme, so the overall focus is different. In addition, while some activities are similar each term, many are different (or have a different focus), some involving guest presenters that relate to our theme. Children also have the opportunity to observe and learn about seasonal changes at the farm – like different plants flowering, fruiting, and seeding; migratory birds arriving for the Summer; and other animals being present at different times of the year. Children can also taste the different fruits and vegetables grown at the farm according to the season and tend to plants that they planted earlier in the year.
What about 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.
What about 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.