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TimberNook Newcastle is managed by Inspired EC - Inspired EC is an early childhood consultancy company that was founded in 2008 by Natashja Treveton and Nicole Halton, both early childhood educators with a commitment to outdoor play. Over the years, we have seen the positive impact that outdoor play has on the health, development and wellbeing of children and are delighted to be able to contribute to this by bringing the TimberNook program to Newcastle.

TimberNook is not your typical nature program. TimberNook programs intricately weave the therapeutic benefits of being outdoors with a thorough understanding of child development and alternative education. The result is a sensory play experience that supports every aspect of the growing child. We do this by skillfully using the environment as inspiration for creative play opportunities.

  

At the heart of TimberNook programming is the philosophy that children flourish when given the time and space to play in sensory-rich, experiential learning environments. Bringing exploration and nature together results in a truly unique way to reach children at a key point in their development.

TimberNook programs offer the ultimate sensory experience for children, challenging the mind, body and the senses through meaningful outdoor play opportunities. Each experience is unique to the location, provider, and group of children, and includes free play in sensory-rich learning environments to further enhance play schemes.

  

TimberNook Newcastle is located at 71 Prospect Rd Garden Suburb NSW, located in the beautiful Lake Macquarie Area . We play on Awabakal land managed by Yamuloong, an Indigenous Cultural Centre. We have 6 acres of land including macadamia groves, water falls and creeks and lots of areas to explore. Our programs currently range from Birth through to upper primary.

 

PLAY THE TIMBERNOOK WAY

Providers often speak of the “magic” they witness at TimberNook, even over the course of just one week. Children of all abilities are able to challenge their social, emotional, sensory, and cognitive skills at TimberNook, the therapeutic benefits of which are vast and often surprising to all involved.

  

 

Children Are Given Time and Space

TimberNook providers step back and empower age-appropriate risk-taking and deep play, based on process-oriented learning. Children are able to work out solutions to problems and develop complex play schemes.

 

Programs Are Led By Experts

We attract like-minded professionals that have backgrounds ranging from therapy, kinesiology, counseling, education, child development, and medicine.

 

Children Have Meaningful Play Experiences

The children are our biggest fans and greatest sources of inspiration. We often hear, “This is the most fun EVER!” Many of our best ideas come from time spent in quiet observation of children’s activity patterns during play!

 

HOW IT WORKS

Most programming designed for children these days is highly structured, leaving them with little time to think for themselves. TimberNook follows a different path. Our programs provide ample time for children to exercise their imagination, take risks, confront challenges, and experience free play–and they do it all in the great outdoors.

   

 

Tiny Ones

Tiny Ones is designed for the smallest of our TimberNook adventurers. Parents are invited to join us on site to experience their child venturing outdoors for creative play opportunities that foster healthy child development. Parents will also receive weekly ideas on how to inspire independent play at home.

New physical and social experiences will present themselves as children play, the mixed ages of participants allowing for children to watch and explore each others experience’s while learning to keep a safe distance, taking turns, and working out problems.

Cause and effect, spatial awareness, creative expression, ideation, and problem solving will all be promoted as children play.

Gross motor and fine motor skills are developed while children dig, splash, paint, fill, dump, and explore their environments.

 

Nature Kindy

Nature Kindy is a six hour program designed for those preschool aged children who want to be free to explore and create in a natural wonderland. Utilising loose parts, all of the natural elements as well as learning about tool use and our native flora and fauna, this program meets ALL of the needs of the preschool aged child. Underpinned by the amazing philosophy of Timbernook, friends, fun and freedom, what more could you want?

TimberNook Nature Kindy is a full day drop off program for 3 – 6 year olds. It runs from 9 am to 3 pm and follows TimberNook curriculum in a way that supports learning though play and sensory integration though nature play.

Your child will have opportunities to play in mud, climb trees, explore tools and fire work as well as other elements of the TimberNook curriculums that we explore.

 

What to Expect

Typically, TimberNook children get dirty! We encourage children to challenge themselves and to take thoughtful risks. As such, sometimes there are minor injuries - scrapes, scratches, and bumps. While we do ensure effective supervision and support is provided to children, we also understand that these small injuries are also an important way to learn how to keep ourselves safe.

 

What will children do?

We will offer a variety of experiences during the program. Children will use and develop a variety of skills - not just physical skills, but problem-solving, planning and social skills.

   

 

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations by Timbernook

TimberNook Newcastle is an all-weather program - rain and shine are perfect for our outdoor activities. Having said that, in the event of dangerous weather (high winds, lightning) the program will be cancelled. Families will be provided with as much notice as reasonably possible and will be offered a credit for the cancelled session.

Cancellations by customers

Cancellations 7 days or more prior to your booking may be refunded with a $10 admin fee per child. Cancellations after this time and up to 48 hours prior will be provided with a credit. Cancellations 48 hours or less notice will only be provided with a credit if your booking can be replaced.  

Please note that credits will only be held for a period of 12 months and will only be applicable to the child named under the original booking.

We cannot refund US dollar payments so please select carefully when making a booking.