TimberNook Newcastle
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.
Contact Us.
Join the TimberNook Newcastle community! Whether you are a family looking to join one of our programs or an educator looking for change, we can support you!
The TimberNook Newcastle Story
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.
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.
About TimberNook
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.
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.
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.
We attract like-minded professionals that have backgrounds ranging from therapy, kinesiology, counseling, education, child development, and medicine.
MEET THE TEAM
We have an amazing team of educators and administration staff who work with families to ensure that your TimberNook experience is a positive one.
"So grateful to have access to such a wonderful program. Highly recommend TimberNook Newcastle to anyone interested in a more holistic, play-based and unstructured style of early learning, and to anyone wanting to give their children some wholesome childhood experiences centred around Mother Nature. The children are in great hands with Denise & Terri and the rest of the team 💚"
Stait
Parent
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.
Wild Ones
TimberNook Wild Ones is a full day drop off program for school aged children. It runs from 9am to 3pm and follows TimberNook curriculum in a way that supports learning through 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.
Gross motor and fine motor skills are developed while children dig, splash, paint, fill, run, and create. Tactile, olfactory, and proprioceptive sensory input will be abundant via the resistance the mud and fire offer and its unique texture, heat and smell. New social experiences will present themselves as children play, watching and exploring each other’s experience’s keeping a safe distance, turn taking, and working out problems. Cause and effect, spatial awareness, creative expression, ideation, and problem solving will all be promoted in play.
Frequently Asked Questions
If it is your first time attending Timbernook you will need to complete a registration form. Visit timbernook.com and use the Login button at the top right of the page to be directed to where you can create an account.
Once you have completed your account set-up and have selected your desired date, ensure you have the correct program and use the blue 'Sign Up' button to be taken to a payment page. Tick the box for the prefilled registration for each child you would like to register.
We currently have programs available suiting children from birth to upper primary.
During the school term our Tiny Ones playgroup is open for children aged 0-12, including homeschooling families. Babies in arms, who are not independently mobile, are welcome to attend for free. Also during the school term our Nature Kindy program is best suited for children aged 3-6, who must be independently toileting.
Our school holiday program is suited for children aged 4-13 who can cope with the busy day.
Newcastle TimberNook is not a registered childcare service and we are unable to accept CCS or other subsidised childcare payments.
Newcastle TimberNook can accept Active and Creative Kids Vouchers provided by Service NSW. If you would like to use a Service NSW Voucher at Newcastle TimberNook, register as usual and email your booking number along with your child's full name, voucher number and date of birth to [email protected] so that we will be able to process your refund.
Newcastle TimberNook is an allweather program meaning we will go ahead even if it is raining. In the event of severe or dangerous weather we will be in contact with families as soon as possible.
🌧If it is raining, we still play. Gumboots and weatherproof clothes/jackets are ideal, a towel can also be handy.🌧
Play the TimberNook Way!
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.
Want to know more?
If you are interested in seeing if TimberNook is the right fit for you, and would like more information, please get in touch via emailing newcastle timbernook.com or phone our head office on (02) 49478112 and we will arrange for one of our trained providers to speak with you.
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CALL US
You can give us a call from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 4pm AEST on (02) 49478112
EMAIL US
You can flick us an email any time - we would love to hear from you! [email protected]
VISIT US
Our beautiful home is at 8&9/363 Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay NSW 2282. Turn in at the Warners Bay Place complex, drive right to the back and you will find us several doors up from the coffee shop.
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