Imagine a place...
Where children are free to play, naturally.
Where childhood is filled with adventure, awe, and wonder.
Where nature is a teacher.
Where children are trusted, respected, and empowered.
Welcome to Little Wildlings.
Our Philosophy
Why We Exist
Not because children need more education.
Because they need more childhood.
At Little Wildlings, we began with a simple question:
What should childhood look like?
We believe childhood should be filled with adventure, awe, wonder, freedom, connection, and play. It should be a time when children can climb trees, build cubbies, get muddy, take risks, solve problems, make friends, contribute to their community, and develop a deep connection to the natural world.
This belief led us to ask other questions.
Why Nature?
Because nature is where children thrive.
Nature offers endless opportunities for creativity, challenge, curiosity, resilience, and discovery. It invites children to move, explore, wonder, and connect with something bigger than themselves.
Why Play?
Because play is not a break from learning, it is learning.
Through play, children develop the confidence, creativity, critical thinking, communication skills, and resilience they need for life.
Why Multi-Age Learning?
Because life isn't separated by age.
In mixed-age communities, children learn empathy, leadership, collaboration, and responsibility. Older children mentor and support younger children, while younger children are inspired by what is possible.
Why Community?
Because children were never meant to be raised in isolation.
They thrive when surrounded by meaningful relationships, trusted adults, families, and a village that knows, values, and supports them.
Ultimately, we exist to protect wildness, both in childhood and in the natural world and to advocate for a future where all children are free to play, naturally.
Our Story
Little Wildlings was born from the same vision that inspired Wildlings Forest School, a desire to create a childhood rich in nature, adventure, connection, and belonging.
We believe children are capable, autonomous individuals who thrive when given the freedom to play, explore, take risks, and make meaningful decisions, supported by caring and knowledgeable educators.
Since 2017, Wildlings Forest School has connected hundreds of children and families with nature through immersive outdoor experiences. As our community grew, so did our desire to create greater access to nature-based education for more children and families.
Little Wildlings was established to bring this vision into a regulated early childhood setting while remaining deeply committed to Bush Kindy, nature immersion, adventurous play, and child-led learning.
While our setting may be regulated, our philosophy remains unchanged:
Childhood belongs in nature.
Our Mission
At the heart of Little Wildlings is our commitment to protecting wildness, both in childhood and in the natural world.
We advocate for all children to have access to wild spaces, opportunities to play freely and adventurously, and to be respected as capable, autonomous human beings.
Our Just Cause
Imagine a world...
Where all children are free to play, naturally.
Where childhood is filled with adventure, awe, and wonder.
Where all children are nurtured through deep and meaningful connections with nature and their village.
Where all children have a voice and are trusted in their own innate wisdom.
It is as simple and as powerful as that.
Quite simply, we believe that children who experience a childhood rich in nature, play, connection, and belonging will have all their developmental needs met.
Our Vision Pillars
Children Are Free to Play, Naturally
We believe children are naturally curious, competent, and driven to learn. Play is not a break from learning it is learning.
Children Are Free from the Confines of Modern Society
We believe children need time, space, freedom, and an unhurried childhood.
Childhood Is Filled with Awe and Wonder
We believe childhood should be rich with joy, curiosity, adventure, and discovery.
Children Are Nurtured Through Connection to Nature and Their Village
We believe nature is a powerful teacher and belonging is essential for learning.
Children Have a Voice and Are Trusted in Their Own Innate Wisdom
We believe children are active participants in their lives and learning.
Children Build Independence Through Life Skills
We believe confidence, competence, and resilience develop through meaningful responsibility and authentic experiences.
Our Focus Areas
Our philosophy comes to life through eight interconnected focus areas:
Child-Led Exploration
Nature Connections
Adventurous & Risky Play
Life Skills & Independence
Responsive Relationships
Community Belonging
First Nations Perspectives
Sustainable Actions
Together, these focus areas guide how we design environments, build relationships, and create meaningful learning experiences that honour children, nature, and community.
“Children need nature for the healthy development of their senses, and therefore, for learning and creativity.”
— Richard Louv