One Day programme

These are very treasured sessions. They require a longer commitment (at least a full term, one day every week) which means we can see the most growth in children’s confidence and competence and we can get to know each other in a more meaningful way. Parents generally enrol their tamariki after they’ve come for a Try Day and had a chat with their school principal (unless home-schooled). 

 Kaitiakitanga

We've chosen public parks so tamariki can go there any time during the week, take friends, and grow older with that space. They feel that sense of belonging within te taiao and the joy of preserving it.

1:8 ratio max

Small groups to help build meaningful connections and friendships, and to ensure safety in the outdoors.
Parents are welcome to let us know if you think your child would prefer extra support.

 Healthy tuned-in humans

Regularity (although it sounds boring)
really is the key to:
healthy body

healthy habits

healthy mind

Three children and an adult observing art sculpture in a lush wooded forest.
  • WHEN: From 9am to 3pm, every Wednesday during school term time.

    WHERE: We gather in Marsden Valley (unless we decide to go to the beach that day!). The Council is happy for us to use several sites so we alternate between them based on learning & play opportunities and weather.

    WHO: For kids 5-12 y.o

  • WHEN: From 9am to 3pm, every Thursday during school term time.

    WHERE: We gather in the Brook Valley (unless we decide to go to the beach that day!). We make the most of several sites up he valley based on learning & play opportunities and weather.

    WHO: For kids 5-12 y.o

  • These Pīwakawaka sessions are for children who may find the full-day programme a little too long, may want their parent nearby, or would benefit from a calmer sensory environment for their learning journey. 

    For an hour and a half we welcome tamariki and their parent/support and offer experiential and explorative opportunities. We may have a couple of other families who have expressed an interest, so if you’re keen flick us a message!

    Created with the families, so the time is flexible: currently Tuesday/Friday mornings are available for this. 25$/child/day.

We want to come on a try day
We're ready to enrol!
Kids by the river with educator, forest school
We want to come on a try day
We're ready to enrol!
  • We would LOVE your child to come along and see if this feels right for them. Adults often make the decisions, but if the kids don’t vibe the project then that settles it!

    We also benefit from meeting your child calmly before enrolment, finding out if they’ll be/feel safe in the outdoor environment and learning what makes them tick.

  • Our daily price is $70.00.

    Because enrolment is for the full term, the final price depends on how many weeks there are in that term (generally between 8-12).

    As a reference, this is in line with other nature schools in the North Island ($80-90) and with other One Day schools in Nelson (also $70).

  • Our goal is to make this affordable!

    • 10% off for the first term you enrol, so your child can try it out properly ($7 off every day)

    • 15% sibling discount (so $10.50 less per day, each)

    • 8% for returning families if none of the other discounts apply to you

  • We have funding to welcome tamariki from a couple of local primary schools, nominated by their principal. Please ask them if this is something they’re a part of already.

    We also have partial scholarships available thanks to fundraising and internal systems. For now these are limited, but please let us know if this could benefit your situation and you’d like to be considered when we allocate the following terms’.

How much is it?

what we do at nature school, forest school
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