An outdoor based family daycare in Kununurra operating as part of Nature Alliance
Welcome to Kununurra Bush Kindergarten!
Philosophy statement
Welcome to Kununurra Bush Kindergarten!
Kununurra Bush Kindergarten (KBK) is a family day care service based in Kununurra, operating since 2018 on Miriwoong country. I’m Lizzie Stanger, and I’m thrilled to lead KBK, a program that blends freedom and adventure with a small, family-focused environment. This setup allows me to offer personalised care that adapts to each family's unique needs. Since our founding, the families enrolled at KBK have created a strong, supportive village—an essence that only the Kununurra community can provide!
At KBK, we follow a child-led, outdoor-based program that incorporates local excursions almost daily. We have a bush playground right here at our block, where we spend time building dens, exploring, and encouraging children to take age-appropriate risks. Environmental care is a core value of our daily routine, including maintaining a vegetable patch and raising our own chickens.
Jack, our gentle therapy dog, is an integral part of our days and joins us on many of our adventures. Born in July 2021, Jack is adored by the children, who love his company as we explore and learn together.
It’s essential that children feel safe, secure, and happy in the family day care setting. I encourage prospective families to spend time with us before enrolling to ensure that KBK is the right fit for your child and family.
Our program is primarily child-led, and the children have a say in nearly every aspect of the day—from menu choices to deciding on excursions. Some days, we embark on exciting adventures to Emma Gorge, while other days are more relaxed, enjoying quiet games or researching fun topics on YouTube. I believe in offering children the freedom to choose their activities while also providing structured play when children are ready. Ultimately, the choice to engage in structured activities is theirs.
I’m grateful to welcome you to the Kununurra Bush Kindergarten family. It’s a privilege to support your child on their learning journey, and I look forward to sharing this experience with you!
Our Days
Theorists
The Montessori Method is an approach to education which emphasises individuality and independence in learning. Children are seen as inherently curious and learning driven. Thus, education is viewed as a process which should occur in harmony with the child’s individual developmental pace. It is a holistic approach emphasising all aspects of development, rather than on attaining specific pieces of information. Kununurra Bush Kindergarten will incorporate some of the learning styles from: Dr Maria Montessori’s methodology, The Reggio Emilia Approach, Steiner as well as forest school approaches from around the world.
Our Routine
Our routine is very flexible depending on the weather and the children's current interests. During the cooler months we often spend most of the day on excursions and children are free to be collected from these at a time to suit the family.
7.30 - 8.30 Welcome time opportunity for children to rest if they would like to. Cooking activities preparing for lunch and morning tea. Self driven provocations available.
8.30 Morning tea - the children are encouraged to be involved in preparation, serving and clearing food to develop independence and self help skills.
9.00 and 12.00 every day the children are given unhurried exploration time where educators provide optional activities and meet the children at their point of learning to guide them forward in whatever direction they choose to take. Excursions will take place during this time to parks, bush land and local farms.
12.00 Lunch time
12.30 -2 Rest time, quiet games, books, sleeping for children who need to, movie or quiet activities for older children
2.15 - 2.45 meeting older children from the school
2.45 Afternoon tea
3.00 - 4.30 Afternoon excursion driven by the children
4.30 Home to chill and have a snack before time to go home
Our timetable is flexible depending on where our interests take us on any given day and when our tummies tell us they are hungry! Sometimes we stay out all day and sometimes we just chill at home, these decisions are always guided by the children
If you would like to know more about the adventures of Kununurra Bush Kindergarten please feel free to get in touch and come and hang out ... we love new friends :)
Team Bush Kindy
KBK is a family day care service based in Kununurra, run by myself, Lizzie Stanger.
I have lived in Kununurra since 2015 and absolutely love the vibrant sunshine and adventurous lifestyle. My partner Matthew, our daughter Alice, our dog Jack (the therapy Labrador), and I live on the Valentine Falls estate, where we run Kununurra Bush Kindergarten from our home.
Matthew holds a Working with Children Check and national police clearance. Alice, born in August 2023, loves adventures with the KBK crew!
I hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, am first aid trained, and have worked in childcare since 2009 across various roles. I am deeply passionate about child development and psychology, often delving into research on different theories and practices. Currently, I’m studying towards my Early Years Teaching degree and a Forest School diploma.
Come and join us
Waiting list form
Please complete as much information as you can, places are allocated based on the child who will best fit into the group at the time a vacancy becomes available due to the small nature of the group.
Contact Us
If you are interested in becoming part of our Bush Kindy gang or just fancy joining us on an adventure please send a message and I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible.
