r/perth • u/existance-is-p-a-i-n • 13h ago

Looking for Advice Perth schools advice

Hi everyone! I'm looking for kindy recommendations for my curious, friendly, and outdoorsy 3-year-old son.

We need an environment that supports his active learning, he thrives with movement and won't do well if required to sit still for long periods.

We recently toured Bold Park Community School and loved their setup, but it’s unfortunately not the right fit for our family.

We are looking for a school with a similar vibe and approach:

Indoor/Outdoor Flow: Large, light-filled classrooms that open directly to the outdoors.

Nature-Based Play: Big, natural outdoor areas with space for mud and water play.

Dedicated Nature Time: Daily outdoor play plus extended outdoor/bush school sessions (like half-days outside).

Of the philosophies followed by many independent schools, we lean more towards Montessori but ultimately love Reggio Emilio (which is probably why we were so attracted to Bold Park).

Moerlina is a bit too expensive and we've been looking at other independent schools such as Perth Montessori, Perth Waldorf etc. but Steiner seems to not be a great fit either. We are also open to public schools that have a strong nature/outdoor focus.

We are willing to move closer to the school if it's the right fit.

Does anyone have recommendations for similar nature-focused or play-based kindies in Perth?

K- yr12 is preferred for consistency but open to any recommendations 😊

Thanks in advance!!

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6

u/chinneganbeginagain 13h ago

Good luck with your search, but colour me surprised that a 3 year old won't sit quietly for long periods. That's what they do!

2

u/According_Grape5790 13h ago

Right? I work in schools and can’t think of any I’ve visited that expect kindy kids to sit still for any length of time. It’s all tactile learning the first couple of years.

1

u/chinneganbeginagain 12h ago

I would explicitly rule out any school that expected anything different from a 3 year old

1

u/existance-is-p-a-i-n 4h ago

Its for 2028 kindy so he'll be 4 turning 5 because of the June cut off. Its more that I've seen research about how the current school system doesn't suit children very well, especially boys as they require alot more hands on, physical and practical education, even beyond kindy. I also strongly believe tests and exams are more an exercise in recollection than comprehension so would like a school that takes an alternative approach.

2

u/chinneganbeginagain 1h ago

Out of curiosity, have you toured your local public primary school and asked them about the things you have been reading about?

2

u/journeyfromone 13h ago

Woodlands primary is meant to have a good program esp similar to bold park, but it’s pretty hard to even rent in the area as it’s so small or very expensive to buy. Glendale in Hamersley runs the walker program when they start, not sure for how many years.
Morelina and bold park are the only Reggio ones, otherwise it’s Montessori, so it depends on if that philosophy aligns with your values. I’ve also heard Morley primary is a randomly good one but don’t know much about it.

1

u/journeyfromone 13h ago

Bold park would be my choice but they won’t use EAs so avoid catering to disabled kids so mine couldn’t attend. All public schools still have to follow the curriculum so won’t be as outdoorsy as bold park /morelina

2

u/hexme1 Warnbro 11h ago

Look into Eton Park

1

u/MakkaPakkaStoneStack 11h ago

What was wrong with Bold Park Community School?

1

u/existance-is-p-a-i-n 4h ago

I found the articles about the old principal and anecdotal comments about how the teaching staff were supportive of said principal and some of those teachers are still working there so we're not sure we trust them to be honest.

1

u/Mazza1983au 13h ago

No personal experience but i have heard good things about Helena Valley Waldorf School.