“Kooee” — Calling Our Kids Back to Nature
Our Programs
📍 Location: Darkes Forest Community Hall, Darkes Forest.
🕤 Time: 6th March - 9:30–11:30am
Our nature playgroup is designed for children aged 1–6 years, offering a variety of unstructured, nature-based activities that inspire curiosity, creativity, and discovery. Each session runs for two hours during the school term and will go ahead in most weather conditions — because nature is meant to be explored rain or shine.
This is a parent/guardian participation program, so you’ll stay and share the experience alongside your child.
Please message us for a 5% sibling discount code for additional children.
Children under 1 are free with a full priced paying sibling.
$77 PER SESSION (paid as a term fee)
Our 4-hour Bush Kindy program runs from 9:30am – 1:30pm and is designed for children aged 3–7 years. The program offers a child-led, nature-immersion experience, where unstructured and self-directed play is at the heart of learning.
Children are encouraged to explore, experiment and discover at their own pace, building confidence, resilience and connection through rich experiences in the bush.
Sessions run during the school term and go ahead in most weather conditions, including rain and muddy puddles. Please pack a spare set of clothes, as messy play is encouraged.
This is a drop-off program for children who are out of nappies. Parents/carers are welcome to stay as long as needed, particularly while children are settling in.
Program locations
Mount Keira — Tuesdays
Darkes Forest, NSW — Wednesdays
📍 Location: Darkes Forest, NSW
Further location details are provided after enrolment.
$77 PER SESSION (paid as a term fee)
Our 4-hour Homeschool Drop-Off (Explorers) program is designed for primary school-aged children (5 years and up) and runs from 9:30am to 1:30pm.
The program offers a child-led, nature-immersion experience, where unstructured and self-directed play sits at the heart of learning. Children are supported to explore, experiment and discover at their own pace, with opportunities naturally arising to support literacy, numeracy and STEM skills through hands-on, real-world experiences in the bush.
Sessions run during the school term and go ahead in most weather conditions, including rain and muddy puddles. Please pack a spare set of clothes, as messy play is encouraged.
This is a drop-off program held at Darkes Forest on Thursdays only. Parents/carers are welcome to stay as long as needed, particularly while children are settling in.
Payment is required for the full term.
👉 Join the waitlist here
The idea for Kooee Kids began when I realised I wanted my own two children’s educational experiences to be surrounded by nature. Becoming a mother opened my eyes to the simple wonders we discovered outside, and how imagination and creativity truly light up children’s hearts and minds.
I have a deep passion for nature immersion and learning through play in the natural world. You’ll often find me with my husband and our two children exploring forests, playing in creeks, swimming in the ocean, and discovering wildlife together.
I’m a qualified Primary Teacher with close to 10 years of experience. I’ve seen first-hand — both as a parent and an educator — the many benefits of play in nature, from supporting emotional regulation and building resilience, to unlocking imagination and inspiring creativity.
As a teacher, I often noticed children craving the chance to be outside, playing freely and using their hands to create. With a growing trend toward more sedentary learning environments, I believe wholeheartedly that children deserve a nature-rich future, with the time and space to explore, discover, and connect with our Earth.
Hi, I’m Charnel
We dream of a world where every child feels free, safe, and inspired to explore the wild places around them. As a mum, teacher, and lifelong nature lover, I’ve seen how the outdoors sparks curiosity, creativity, and resilience — and how it nurtures a deep sense of belonging to the earth, to community, and to themselves.
Through our nature-rich, child-led programs, we create safe, nurturing, and adventurous spaces for children to play, explore, and learn in all seasons. Grounded in respect for Country, we support emotional wellbeing, creative expression, and meaningful connections. Every session is an invitation to embrace nature’s lessons, grow in confidence, and develop a lifelong love for the land, each other, and our shared future.
Our Vision
Contact Us
Interested in joining us? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!