Outdoor learning on the rise: Victorian bush kinder grants open

The Victorian Government has recently opened applications for the Bush Kinder Grants Program, inviting eligible early childhood services to apply for one-off grants of $6,000 to establish new or enhance existing, outdoor learning programs in 2026. The initiative forms part of a $3.6 million investment over four years aimed at enriching children’s connection to nature and improving educational outcomes.

The program will fund up to 150 services statewide, supporting access to local natural environments, such as parks, bushland, and beaches, as rich learning landscapes. 

Applications are open until 18 September 2025, offering a tangible opportunity for providers to enhance outdoor learning offerings.

Bush kindergartens provide immersive, multi-sensory experiences that encourage curiosity, resilience, and environmental awareness. These settings align with emergent pedagogical frameworks that emphasise experiential and nature-based learning including.

Here are four key reasons why expanding access to bush kindergarten experiences can benefit children, educators and the broader ECEC community.

1. Enhanced Learning Environments
   Bush kindergartens provide immersive, multi-sensory experiences, encouraging curiosity, resilience, and environmental awareness in children. These settings align with emergent pedagogical frameworks that value experiential and nature-based learning.
2. Increased Access and Equity
   With up to 150 grants available annually, a wide range of services, urban and regional alike, can adapt or expand outdoor programs. This helps broaden access for children from diverse backgrounds to benefit from nature-rich early learning.
3. Budget Support for Program Development
   The $6,000 grants offer a practical boost for operational costs like transport, equipment, staffing needs, or site arrangements, reducing financial barriers for services wishing to integrate outdoor learning.
4. Strategic Alignment with Sector Goals
   The program supports goals common across the sector: fostering sustainable, inclusive practices, advancing child wellbeing, and promoting curriculum innovation. It offers providers an externally-backed framework to organise and develop meaningful programs.

For further enquiries about the grants, contact the bush kinder grants team by email: [email protected]

For more information about how to set up a bush kinder program, refer to: Bush kinder