Birdwings Forest School

Little Birdwings provides a unique and important experience for little children. The caring and involved educators guide the children through experiences, always encouraging, supporting and naturally allowing them to expand their comfort zones.I like how it encourages independence and assists in confidence building. As well as providing a safe environment for kids to be kids in the best place possible (outside).

Highly recommend. The care they show the kids is exceptional and our son loved the outdoor play and alternative, child-centred approach. I would breathe a sigh of relief just driving him there. They often make the kids beautiful felt toys for celebrations. This was a gift for our new baby Ziggy (see photo). Worth the drive and the wait to get in. Check them out! Absolutely dedicated, award-winning team.

My daughter loved Birdwings Bush Club! She learned so much about nature and was always bursting to teach us as often as she could.She enjoyed the friendships she formed, hiking through the creeks and up waterfalls, loved creating art and hearing wonderful stories and songs.

My 31/2 year old Grandson has had the most amazing experience over the past 12 months. The social, emotional and physical skills he has developed are unsurpassed by any other educational facility I have ever seen in my 40 years as an educator. The staff at Birdwings Forest School are well trained and passionate about their roles in the program and the daily feedback they provide enables Parents and Grandparents to appreciate their child's development and continue the learning at home.

*babies playgroup 0-1* Highly Recommended. This has been the most wonderful way to connect with my baby. We sing, snack, create and play with our babies in the mud and in the creek, just as we did when we were kids. This is old school baby sensory with added kindness, respect and teachings of country. Birdwings has provided an environment for the richest development for our kids and in particular, for me too. I have not bought a single toy in almost 4 months. I have been taught to sew them, create, forage and repurpose from everything around us. This is magic.*wildplay playgroup 1-5yr* Highly recommended. The educators here facilitate such a conscious, respectful and fun playgroup. I look forward to this time with my child every week. So much developmental goodness and even I have learnt so much about how to bond with my child.Be prepared to get wet and mostly muddy, it's much more fun if you lean into it.Started when my child was 1 and after 1 term his day care teachers were telling me they now displayed gross motor skills of a 3yr old also more comments have followed about his care for animals big and tiny.

It is hard to put into words how amazing our experience has been at Birdwings and especially this past 6 months in the bush club program. It has benefitted our daughter in so many ways. Her confidence and her ability to cope with change have been a blessing to witness, especially as we navigate prep this year. The transition to school was incredibly smooth. Her autonomy with things such as dressing herself, socks and shoes, filling drink bottles and carrying her bag have been things we haven't had to worry about. She is also able to open her lunch box and everything in it with ease, something I noticed when attending school isn't the case for most. Having these skills deeply imbedded from bush club has meant she can focus on other things and doesn't have that overwhelm that can often be associated with such big changes (school). My daughter was someone who would often rush ahead and get herself into situations out of her comfort zone. She can now thoughtfully makes decisions, reflect when things don't go to plan and problem solve. All practises that weave through the daily rhythm at Bush Club and are invaluable skills to have as she moves through life. She takes great pride in navigating the outdoors with friends and family, and has learnt so much about nature and herself through this program. I couldn't recommend it more, especially in the lead up to school.

The team at Birdwings have set up a unique learning experience like no other on the Gold Coast. Children learn to be empowered, create, innovate and build a strong, caring connection to the natural world. They all this through the act of authentic play and the positive encouragement of their carers. As a fellow educator, I know how important this unique experience is in the digital world of the 21st century. The Birdwings are real educators, with real pedagogy and I can’t recommend them enough to all those looking for a unique learning experience for their little ones.

Jen and Narrel are the most inspirational, passionate, and loving outdoor educators you will ever meet. I love spending time at Birdwings with my children. Not only do I learn about living things, the benefit of outdoor play and calm my own nerves around the creepy crawlies, my children get some of the best opportunities around. We love our mornings at Birdwings where there are no interruptions, unstructured play in the bush with some of the best mentors anyone could ask for!

As a small business owner myself who offers tutoring services, a Primary School teacher of 15 years and a parent, I am so blown away and impressed with what is offered and the way Birdwings is conducted. I send my daughter to Bush Club, with the full support of her school as we have all seen the benefits of her attending versus not attending! Her confidence, resilience and sense of self have improved dramatically, along with strengthened fine and gross motor skills, growing problem-solving skills and built a much greater awareness for and of the world around her. I personally have enthusiastically attended the Professional Development Courses offered by the Birdwings facilitators and am currently working through the Parenting course offered in the Birdwings Family Private Facebook group; which has ensured for a growth in my confidence and assurance in my personal ability to be the best parent I can be to my children. It has also positively impacted my group tutoring sessions, using things learnt like circle time, a deeper understanding of unstructured loose part play and incorporating a “sit spot” when I can. I highly recommend Birdwings for children of all ages and encourage parents and people working with children to attend one of their heart and mind-opening courses. Well done Jen and Narelle for providing something unique, boutique and utterly special for our children.

There is nothing else like it. I was more than willing to drive over an hour to access this special, outdoor place filled with adventures, creeks, treks, waterfalls, action. But it’s more than access to a space. These educators mentor the children to know themselves, become independent, discuss their views, listen to others and most importantly PLAY!! As a teacher myself, I know that schools can’t offer this, childcare centres can’t offer this, even adventurous parents can’t offer the Birdwings Experience. Hurrah - you’ve found it!!