FAQ

Kariong Eco-Garden. 2 Dandaloo St, Kariong, NSW.

And

Pearl Beach Arboretum. 71 Crystal Ave, Pearl Beach NSW 2256

Yes, Play on Earth has $20 000 000 liability insurance. Part of your weekly fees contribute towards our insurance. Please ensure you read and our terms and conditions and waivers prior to joining us.

Yes, all of our staff have certified Working with Children Checks and valid First Aid Certificates.

We are unable to offer a refund, however if you can provide us with 24 hours notice we can offer you a credit for a future session. Contact us via email: contact@playonearth.com.au to discuss options.

Children will engage in activities such as:
– Using real tools to do crafts and building
– Learning to tie knots and build structures with tarps and sticks
– Help prepare foods and cooking
– Play group games
– Explore the bushland
– Climb trees
– Story telling and bush songs
– Fire striking and building fires (terms 2 & 3 only)
– Cooking on the fire (terms 2 & 3 only)
– Nature crafts and art
– Flora and Fauna identification

No. We are a nut aware business. This means we ask our families to not send nuts with their child to our programs. We have a no sharing personal food policy. However it is not possible to totally eliminate the risk. Our staff are trained in anaphylaxis symptoms and how to use Epi-Pens. If your child has any allergies you will need to fill out this in our booking form and also send any medications such as the Epi-Pen with them to our programs.

There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. We will still go ahead in wet weather. There is a big shelter in the garden for us to use.

In our Bush Kindy programs we have a maximum of 14 with a ratio of 1 staff member for every 7 children. In our holiday programs and bush homeschool programs we have a a maximum of 20 children aged 4-12 with a ratio of 1:10.

Some food will be provided over the day such as fruit and campfire food. We do however ask that your child brings their own snacks and lunch to the programs.

Please send your child with a small backpack with the following items inside:

• A change of underwear and clothing,
• Snacks, lunch and a drink bottle,
• Hat,
• Wet weather clothing

Your child should wear the following:

• Old clothing that can get dirty/ruined
• Enclosed shoes (compulsory)
• Hat
• Long pants and long sleeve shirts (recommended for sun safety)

No we do not offer trial visits. However we do offer casual visits for our programs.

A family ticket is for a parent or guardian to attend with up to three siblings. If you have more than three children please get in touch with us before booking.

Playgroup costs $25 per week for a casual visit and $22.50 per week when booking 5 or more sessions at once.

Pearl Beach Playgroup costs $28 per week for a casual visit and $25 per week when booking 5 or more sessions at once.

Yes, parents/guardians need to stay during the playgroup and are responsible for the supervision of their children at all times.

• Dress for the weather and for messy play (raincoat and gumboots in wet weather, old clothes that can get dirty)
• Snacks and a drink bottle for your children
• A change of clothes for the drive home (things can get pretty messy!)
• Hat & Sunscreen
• Covered shoes (please no sandals or thongs as we will be playing in the bush area.)
• Insect repellant
• Keep cup for the attending parent (coffee/tea provided)

At Playgroup, you can expect a wide range of engaging activities and experiences designed to promote active play and creativity for children. Each playgroup session offers a variety of play invitations to stimulate imagination and exploration.

These invitations may include:

1. Mud Kitchen: Children will have the opportunity to engage in sensory play and discover the joys of cooking with mud.
2. Nature Arts/Crafts: Creative minds will be inspired as children explore and create artwork using natural materials found in the environment.
3. Large Loose Parts Play: Children will have access to a collection of open-ended objects, allowing them to develop problem-solving skills and unleash their creativity through imaginative play.
4. Bush Exploration Play: Children will have the chance to venture into the surrounding nature, discovering and learning about the wonders of the outdoors.
5. Songs and Stories: Playgroup sessions will also include special moments for group activities such as singing songs and listening to stories, fostering a sense of togetherness and nurturing language development.

At Play on Earth, we ensure that our activities are tailored to the ages of the children attending each week. Most of our activities are suitable for any child who can stand or walk. Additionally, we provide age-appropriate experiences for babies who are not yet standing or walking.

We believe that every child, regardless of their developmental stage, should have the opportunity to engage with nature and enjoy the benefits of outdoor play.

Babies ages 0 to 1 and up to 18months – preferably not walking. Once they are walking our Playgroup may be more suitable.

First we will gather together and connect through conversation and songs. We may go for a bushwalk or spend some time looking around the garden with the babies. There will be different sensory experiences for the babies to explore each week including; musical instruments, herbs and spices, natural materials, bubbles, slime, dirt, grass etc. We will learn some baby massage together each week and also baby sign language. After 30 minutes the session will wind down with some time to connect with other parents while your baby explores the space around them.

Yes, there is some space in the garden to park prams but you will not be able to take the pram for a bush walk. It would be a good idea to bring a carrier to each session.

• A Baby Carrier
• Water bottle for you and baby
• Snacks for you and baby
• Change of clothes for baby and a towel to dry them off with if they get extra dirty
• Optional – baby rug or mat