At Sunshine Garden we offer three different programs, a Steiner Outdoor playgroup, The Nest, a nurturing space for new mothers and their young bubs (both in Frenchs Forest) and a Nature connection Bush Playgroup in Garigal land.
For our playgroups, play unfolds in an unhurried, technology free setting where children can explore and BE while parents make meaningful connections with likeminded people. Both, parents and children will be nurtured in this space, learn new skills and leave with new friendships.
It is through rhythm that children get to know the world and their place in it and build the sense of security needed to venture out into the world. For our Steiner Playgroup, we meet on either TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY or FRIDAY through out the school calendar. Nine thirty in the morning, parents, caretakers and children arrive for the greeting verse. We gather in the garden and as we sing we greet each other, the sun and the land. Then comes story time, where I use marionettes and standing dolls to weave a gentle seasonal story under tree canopies. After this we play finger games, and sing in a ring. This is followed by bread making, where children and parents alike make their bread rolls for morning tea as we sing baking songs. While the bread is in the oven, we play in the garden, rain, hail or shine! Here we play in the sandpit, the mud kitchen, and tend our veggie patch. As soon as our bread is ready we all sit together and enjoy our fresh buttered rolls with fruit, veggies and tea. Then the children continue to play while I lead parents/caretakers in making simple toys and crafts to take home. To wrap up, we pack up the toys together and sing our goodbye song. Families venture home at eleven thirty.
On MONDAYS at Bush Playgroup, we meet in a beautiful spot of local Bushland in the Northern Beaches at nine thirty, greet each other in a circle at our appointed little place in the bush, sing and head out for our bushwalk. Our pace is slow and mindful as we attune into nature and it’s creatures, sounds, textures. There are games to be played, morning tea under the canopies, child-led play, rest, stories and songs. At the end of the morning, we walk back together to hold our gratitude circle.
For The Nest, our nurturing space for new mothers with their bubs. We gather in a circle to discuss a different topic relevant to motherhood and womanhood on a fortnightly basis as we sip organic chai tea and delicious healthy nibbles.
For our annual rhythm, we celebrate festivals and birthdays in a thoughtful and wholehearted way. Families look forward to our journey through the seasons as we go through Harvest Apple picking festival, our Winter Solstice lantern walk and our Maypole dance at Springtime.
For our playgroups, play unfolds in an unhurried, technology free setting where children can explore and BE while parents make meaningful connections with likeminded people. Both, parents and children will be nurtured in this space, learn new skills and leave with new friendships.
It is through rhythm that children get to know the world and their place in it and build the sense of security needed to venture out into the world. For our Steiner Playgroup, we meet on either TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY or FRIDAY through out the school calendar. Nine thirty in the morning, parents, caretakers and children arrive for the greeting verse. We gather in the garden and as we sing we greet each other, the sun and the land. Then comes story time, where I use marionettes and standing dolls to weave a gentle seasonal story under tree canopies. After this we play finger games, and sing in a ring. This is followed by bread making, where children and parents alike make their bread rolls for morning tea as we sing baking songs. While the bread is in the oven, we play in the garden, rain, hail or shine! Here we play in the sandpit, the mud kitchen, and tend our veggie patch. As soon as our bread is ready we all sit together and enjoy our fresh buttered rolls with fruit, veggies and tea. Then the children continue to play while I lead parents/caretakers in making simple toys and crafts to take home. To wrap up, we pack up the toys together and sing our goodbye song. Families venture home at eleven thirty.
On MONDAYS at Bush Playgroup, we meet in a beautiful spot of local Bushland in the Northern Beaches at nine thirty, greet each other in a circle at our appointed little place in the bush, sing and head out for our bushwalk. Our pace is slow and mindful as we attune into nature and it’s creatures, sounds, textures. There are games to be played, morning tea under the canopies, child-led play, rest, stories and songs. At the end of the morning, we walk back together to hold our gratitude circle.
For The Nest, our nurturing space for new mothers with their bubs. We gather in a circle to discuss a different topic relevant to motherhood and womanhood on a fortnightly basis as we sip organic chai tea and delicious healthy nibbles.
For our annual rhythm, we celebrate festivals and birthdays in a thoughtful and wholehearted way. Families look forward to our journey through the seasons as we go through Harvest Apple picking festival, our Winter Solstice lantern walk and our Maypole dance at Springtime.
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