Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to Birdwings. We know that choosing an outdoor program for your child can come with lots of questions, especially if forest school is a new experience for your family. We have answered some of the questions we are asked most often below. If you cannot find the information you need, please get in touch. We are always happy to help you learn more about our programs.

Our programs are grounded in nature connection, playwork and a relationship-based approach. Rather than following a fixed sequence of activities, our Nature Mentors pay attention to children's interests and the possibilities offered by the environment. Children have opportunities to explore, create, collaborate, take considered risks and develop their own ideas. We recognise that meaningful relationships with people and place take time to grow.

Birdwings is based in Guanaba, in the northern Gold Coast Hinterland, Queensland (4210), on Kombumerri Country. Our programs take place in beautiful bushland, rainforest, creek and paddock environments. Specific location details and arrival information are provided to enrolled families.

We don't offer trial days because our approach to forest school is based on building relationships with each other and the environment over time. Familiarity, trust and a sense of belonging develop through shared experiences and regular participation. For WildPlay Adventurers Playgroup, we are happy to offer a refund for the rest of the term if you find that our program is not the right fit for you. For our other programs, when a place becomes available for your child at Little Birdwings or Adventure Club, we invite your family to attend a Stay and Play session prior to enrolment. This gives us an opportunity to begin getting to know one another and helps your child become familiar with the place and the people they will be spending time with.

Families receive a packing list when they enrol. This includes information about suitable clothing, footwear, food, water and other essentials. As we spend our days outdoors in changing weather and varied terrain, being prepared helps children participate comfortably and confidently.

We continue our programs in a wide range of weather conditions, including rain, unless a severe weather warning or conditions at our site mean it is unsafe to do so. We ask families to pack a raincoat for every session because the weather can change throughout the day. We monitor weather forecasts alongside the actual conditions at our site, including creek levels, ground saturation and access to safe areas. If we need to change or cancel a session, we will communicate this with families.

Children's safety is our priority. We monitor weather forecasts and conditions at our site and make decisions based on the circumstances, including severe weather warnings, thunderstorms, flooding risks and site accessibility. If conditions mean we cannot safely continue a program, we will communicate any changes or cancellations to families in accordance with our procedures.

Adventurous play is an important part of our approach. Climbing, balancing, navigating uneven terrain and exploring natural environments offer children opportunities to develop physical competence, judgement, confidence and an understanding of their own capabilities. We consider risks in relation to the environment, the activity and the children involved. Our Nature Mentors provide attentive supervision, establish appropriate boundaries and support children to develop their own awareness and decision-making. We believe children benefit from meaningful opportunities to explore and take considered risks, alongside thoughtful assessment and management of hazards.

We spend our days in natural environments, which means we sometimes encounter the wildlife that lives there, including snakes, spiders and other creatures.  Learning to share these places with wildlife is part of developing a relationship with the natural world. Our Nature Mentors help children learn to observe animals respectfully, recognise potential hazards and understand when to give wildlife space.

 We remain attentive to conditions around us and follow appropriate safety procedures when wildlife is encountered. If we see a snake, for example, we calmly move children away, keep a safe distance and allow the animal space to move on. We never encourage children to approach, touch or disturb wildlife.  We cannot guarantee that children will never encounter potentially dangerous animals outdoors, but we take these situations seriously and prioritise children's safety while helping them develop respect and understanding for the living world around them.

We value getting to know each child as an individual and recognising their strengths, interests, communication styles and support needs. We aim to provide inclusive, neuroaffirming experiences where children are respected and supported to participate in ways that work for them. We encourage families to share relevant information with us before enrolment so we can discuss their child's needs and whether a particular program is a suitable fit.

Birdwings is not a registered NDIS provider. However, some families may be able to use their NDIS funding to access our programs, depending on their funding management arrangements, individual plan and the applicable NDIS funding rules. Self-managed participants can generally choose to work with unregistered providers when the support is an appropriate use of their NDIS funding. Plan-managed participants may also be able to access services from unregistered providers, subject to the relevant requirements. Families are responsible for checking whether their chosen program is an appropriate use of their child's funding before enrolling. We encourage families to discuss this with their plan manager or the NDIA if they are unsure. Please contact us if you would like to discuss your child's needs and the program you are considering.