Our Garden
East Brunswick Kindergarten and Childcare Centre has always maintained a playful landscape that embraces the natural environment. Our educators, children and families adore the large outdoor space at our centre which provides a creative, inspirational and imaginative haven unique within inner city Melbourne.
We aim to create and maintain an irresistible and educational outdoor playspace for children of all abilities aged between 3 and 6 years old.
At EBKCC there is an abundance of natural play space that encourage children to be spontaneous, active and creative. As Educators we have an important role in supporting and encouraging environmental education. Our beautiful garden at EBK provides many rich “hands on” experiences for learning and connecting with nature. We have many fruit trees, indigenous plants and veggie planter boxes. There is an interactive garden with nooks and crannies for imaginative and creative play, tranquil spaces such as the living cubby where we house our much loved animals, inviting open ended play spaces such as our outdoor deck for dramatic play, outdoor dancing…….the opportunities are endless Active play- sensory, digging, running, obstacle courses.
Outdoor play provides opportunities for children to explore, imagine, experiment and build confidence in their own abilities. Children gain appreciation of the natural world and gain knowledge and enjoyment though participating in its care. We garden sustainably. In the vegetable beds we use the compost collected by the children to enrich the soil. Children connect with the land as they learn about the seasons and the variety of plants, animals, birds and mini beasts that live within the garden. This includes caring for the kindergarten guinea pigs who love fresh grass and the parsley that is grown in the garden. Our large shady garden allows for plenty of opportunities for physical play. This can include running, climbing, collecting and carrying found objects in the garden, building, digging, bike riding, etc. We also have spaces for quieter more reflective and imaginative play including cubbies, tepees and small leafy spaces. All of these activities refine and develop strength and skills.
“look deep into nature and you will understand everything better” Albert Einstein.
Our garden and playspace features
Our plants
- insect/animal attracting plants
- Indigenous plants
- seasonal plants
- bush tucker plants
- mini orchard of fruit trees
- formal kitchen garden
- arbour
It's child's play
- sand, water, rocks and logs
- structures or objects that can be changed
- wooden play structure with tunnel
- wooden swing set with interchangeable equipment
- wooden cubby houses
- grassy area ideal for ball games, throwing bean bags etc
- a safe pathway for riding bikes
- decking
- worm farm
A place to enjoy, come together, connect
- natural color, diversity and change
- places and features to sit on, in, under, lean against, provide privacy, shade and shelter
- soft mulched areas
- a mural depicting Indigenous themes
- dry creek bed
- arbour
- a gathering space with feature art
- wildlife corridors