This paper highlights the similarities and differences of seven nature kindergarten programmes in Australia and New Zealand. The study targeted three programmes from New Zealand and four from Australia. Participant observations and semi-structured interviews were used to build a profile of each site. The profiles were compared on factors such as philosophical influences, curriculum design, site location, safety requirements and programme activity. In many ways, the programmes were quite similar, and this was attributed to synergies between the respective curriculum frameworks and the influence of the European Forest School movement. There were, however, some unique features at each site and differences attributed to national perspectives. It is anticipated that the profiling of philosophical and logistical dimensions of nature programmes implemented in exemplar settings can help to inspire other early childhood educators and encourage them to reposition nature pedagogy as part of their own early childhood programmes.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	early childhood education, nature, kindergarten, Australia, New Zealand
Research Division:	Education
Research Group:	Education Systems
Research Field:	Early Childhood Education (excl. Maori)
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding Knowledge in Education
UTAS Author:	Masters, J (Dr Jennifer Masters)
ID Code:	125285
Year Published:	2018
Deposited By:	Education
Deposited On:	2018-04-11
Last Modified:	2018-12-06
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