In a typical Birak Vacation Care Program (first summer, December-January School Holidays) you can expect to spend time playing in the shade of our magnificent Peppermint and Marri trees, as well as a lot of water play in the afternoons to combat the heat of the day. Gradually developing art encounters take place under the shade of the tarp at Bush Camp and in the outdoor Piggery Workspace, and hammock villages and cubby houses are constructed with loose parts and tools. Over the last few years we have created our own slip-and-slide on the hills in the backyard near the farm, which is a highlight of the hot days in January. 

In a typical Djeran Vacation Care Program (Autumn, April School Holidays) the weather gets cooler, which makes for great opportunities to explore the back paddocks behind Bush Camp, climb the hidden Waabiny Tree, spend time with the farm animals, and learn bush crafts and skills that encourage sustainable thinking and a broader connection with nature. Excursions might include days out at the beach and rockpools in Yallingup, exploring the different caves of the South West, and incursions that focus on local fauna and flora conservation.

In a typical Makuru Vacation Care Program (Winter, July School Holidays) we rug up and play in the mud and the rain, and retreat to our cosy indoor play spaces, such as the Enchanted Dome, the Atelier and the Dandjoo Djurapin art studio. The diversity of fungi in our forests captivate imaginations and the winter creek is often full with shallow water, offering different sensory activities and lessons about safety. When the weather permits we’ll spend time around a camp fire, harvest vegetables from from our flourishing food forest, and cook together on our outdoor pizza oven. 

In a typical Djilba Vacation Care Program (First Spring, September School Holidays) we tend to work on our long-term art projects that will be exhibited in our annual community celebration in November. Our nature-based excursions build on teamwork and established friendships, and we invite artists and outdoor specialists to facilitate encounters on site that educate and inspire. Children will often bring home unique creations at this time of year that they have made with their peers under the careful guidance of Atelierista Angie Pannone. 

The program is designed to follow children’s natural energy levels throughout the day so that children work as a team without feeling forced or held back. Children feel they are truly heard and acknowledged and are therefore more open to be guided into nature connection. Some children might decide to play independently all day, some are active and want to spend time racing around with their peers, others need rests and opportunities for quiet reflection. At Nature’s Atelier we follow the children’s lead and make space for unplanned, meaningful connections to take place.

Our Vacation Care Program is open from 7:00am-6:00pm, with the children meeting at family grouping at the front entrance of the centre. Our Vacation Care program includes morning and afternoon tea, with fresh fruit and vegetables and a made vegetarian item with each meal. After family grouping, our Vacation Care program will often spend the whole day out in one of our expansive environments, making the most of our uninterrupted time together. At the end of the day our Vacation Care children close their play by cleaning and packing away resources, and sharing stories of the adventures and projects that arose during the day, reflecting on the learning of nature, community and self.

Each Vacation Care Program at Nature’s Atelier is unique in its own right and designed with the enrolled children in mind, with an emphasis on free play, flexibility and child-led activities and adventures. Our Vacation Care children will often spend time with our Bush Kindy program which allows siblings to spend time together and for child-led mentoring to take place. A flexible program of activities is advertised in the lead up to the school holidays, and excursions are offered to school-aged children with an extended invite to kindergarten-aged children if age-appropriate spots are available. 

Fees are based on the Government estimate for providing Early Childhood programs in Australia. We have priced our programs so that families will have little or no gap between fees charged and the hourly fee the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) covers.

Nature’s Atelier is aware that child care costs can be a struggle for families especially when daily fees can cover hours not required by the families. To assist families we offer a range of options so that you can choose the hours you need and maximise your hours and the subsidy you are eligible for.

For more information on Vacation Program enrolment please get in touch with our team.