Frequently Asked Questions —
Welcome to The Heart Folk.
We understand that choosing an experience for yourself, child and family, can come with lots of questions. The below is to share context for some of the things most commonly ask about our offerings, including how our days flow, settling in, what to bring, payments and participation. Reach out via email: theheartfolk@gmail.com to connect — we are always here to talk things through.
What is The Heart Folk?
The Heart Folk is a family-founded nature-based education, learning and community offering, creating meaningful experiences, gatherings and workshops for children and families, people across Southern Gold Coast & Northern NSW.
For five years, we have woven together nature, community, creativity and experiential learning through nature-based learning programs, seasonal experiences, workshops, community gatherings and collaborations — learning on Country and nurturing connection with our own hearts, one another, our communities and the world around us.
Our heartbeat — Community • Connection • Creativity
Why Homeschooling?
If your heart is prompting you to move differently and weave learning more organically through your days as your children grow, we encourage you to explore what homeschooling could look like for your family.
We encourage families to consider these reasons & begin their homeschooling journey:
Nurturing the whole child
Creating space to nurture children socially, emotionally, physically, creatively and academically — recognising that learning and development extend far beyond academics alone.Preparing children for life
Learning can be woven through real-world experiences, practical life skills, relationships, community, problem-solving and everyday responsibilities.A healthy learning environment
Homeschooling allows families to create rhythms and environments that consider their child's individual needs, interests, developmental stage and wellbeing.Protecting family bonds
More time together creates opportunities for connection, shared experiences, sibling relationships and meaningful family life throughout childhood.Connecting with nature
Learning can move beyond four walls and into forests, creeks, beaches, gardens, communities and the changing seasons — allowing children to experience and understand the world around them.Creativity & Critical Thinking
Children have greater time and freedom to imagine, create, question, explore ideas, solve problems and pursue meaningful interests.Healthy Attachment
Children can develop within secure, responsive relationships with the people who know and care for them, while gradually building meaningful relationships within their wider community.Protecting Curiosity
Learning can remain connected to children's questions, interests and natural curiosity, allowing discovery to become part of everyday life.Emotional Intelligence
There is space for children to understand themselves, recognise and express emotions, navigate relationships, develop empathy and grow in awareness of themselves and others.At The Heart Folk, we support and encourage families on their homeschooling journey through our nature-based offerings — creating opportunities for children to learn alongside others, build meaningful relationships, experience community, explore the natural world and develop practical, creative, social and emotional skills.
Our intention is to complement the rich learning already happening within family life while creating meaningful shared experiences that nurture children holistically and intentionally.
What is the difference between Nurture Class and Nature Class?
Nurture Class is created for younger children (3.5-6yrs as a guide) beginning their journey into independent, drop-off group experiences. The rhythm is nurturing, playful and supportive, with a strong focus on connection, confidence, creativity, nature and belonging.
Nature Class is created for children ready for greater independence (5-12yrs as a guide), adventure and exploration. Children travel together with our mentors on Breeze, The Heart Folk bus, to experience different natural, community and collaborative locations.
For younger children, our usual progression is to begin with Nurture Class and move into Nature Class when they are ready.
Are your programs drop-off?
Yes. Nurture Class and Nature Class are both drop-off programs, allowing children to build relationships with their mentors and peers, develop independence and become part of the group rhythm.
We understand that starting something new can take time, particularly for younger children, so our approach to settling is gentle, responsive and supportive.
How does settling into Nurture Class work?
New children begin with a two-week paid trial period.
Where settling support is needed during these first two sessions, one parent/guardian may remain until 10:00am (maximum one hour).
If your child settles before this time, we encourage a positive goodbye so they can continue their day with their mentors and group.
If they are not yet ready to separate by 10:00am, you will leave with your child and try again the following week. We see this as a positive stepping stone rather than an unsuccessful session.
We find most children settle within the first two to three weeks when familiarity and trust are built gently, consistently and without pressure or force.
Once your child has transitioned into the program, parents/guardians do not remain at the program location.
What happens if my child becomes upset or unsettled?
Our mentors provide reasonable, age-appropriate support through connection, reassurance, emotional support and gentle encouragement.
If your child is unsettled, upset or distressed at any time, we will contact you and work together to determine the most supportive next step. This may include reassurance and continued participation where your child is comfortable, or early collection where appropriate.
Our priority is for children to feel safe, nurtured, heard and supported while our mentors continue to safely care for the group as a whole.
How does settling into Nature Class work?
Nature Class involves children travelling together with our mentors on Breeze, The Heart Folk bus, to and between program locations. Due to the nature and operation of the program, parents/guardians cannot attend alongside their child.
We recognise that travelling on Breeze for the first time can be a big transition.
Where appropriate and operationally possible, we may offer for a parent/guardian to follow the bus and drop their child directly at the day’s location for their first session or initial transition. This depends on the location, accessibility and planned experience and cannot always be offered.
If your child is unsettled, upset or distressed, we will contact you and work together to make a plan. Where appropriate, this may include early collection from the program location.
For younger children, our usual progression is to begin with Nurture Class and transition to Nature Class when they are ready for the additional independence and travel involved.
Can parents stay during programs?
Nurture Class allows the short transition period outlined above during a child’s initial two-week paid trial where needed.
Outside of this transition period, parents/guardians do not remain at our drop-off program locations. This supports children’s independence and settling while protecting the experience and privacy of other children and allowing our mentors to maintain clear group relationships, supervision, safety and program operations.
Nature Class does not accommodate parent attendance due to the travel and operational nature of the program.
What happens during a typical day?
Our days hold a gentle rhythm that brings familiarity and grounding within our changing natural landscapes. We begin and end our days by gathering together in a yarning circle, creating space to connect, ground, share and reflect.
Our rhythm of experiential learning is grounded in:
Experience • Reflect • Grow
Throughout our time together, we nurture relational and practical life skills, creativity, curiosity, exploration and connection.
Our days may embrace natural playscapes and outdoor exploration, alongside invitations into nature-inspired creativity and meaningful learning such as:
nature exploration, movement and adventure;
seasonal crafts and creative experiences;
practical life skills and handcrafts;
storytelling, songs and music;
affirmations and reflective practices;
imaginative and self-led play;
group games and collaborative experiences;
meaningful conversations and wholesome learning opportunities;
community, property and nature-based experiences; and
workshops and collaborations with people from our wider community.
Our focus is on connection and nurturing emotional intelligence and awareness of self, others and the environment we are immersed in.
We intentionally leave space for curiosity, play and what naturally emerges from the children, the group, the season and the environment around us.
Can you accommodate additional support needs?
The Heart Folk is a small-group nature-based learning program rather than a therapeutic, disability-support, behavioural-support, specialist intervention or one-to-one care service.
At this time, we are unable to accommodate children who require one-to-one support or supervision, individual behaviour management plans, intensive behavioural, emotional, sensory or therapeutic support, specialised disability support, or adjustments and supervision beyond the capacity and training of our mentor team.
Families are required to share any relevant support needs, behavioural considerations, emotional regulation challenges, safety risks, known triggers or other information that may impact participation before booking.
If you are unsure whether our programs are suitable for your child, please contact us before enrolling so we can discuss this together.
Future offerings may become available specifically for children requiring additional support, subject to sufficient interest and appropriate staffing.
Where are your programs held?
Our experiences take place across a variety of natural, outdoor, community, coastal, forest, recreational, educational and collaborative locations across the Gold Coast & Northern NSW.
Locations and relevant meeting information are communicated to enrolled families for each offering.
Nature Class may travel to and between locations aboard Breeze, The Heart Folk bus.
What should my child bring?
Families receive program-specific information before commencement.
Generally, children should arrive prepared for outdoor adventures with:
comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing;
suitable outdoor shoes;
a hat;
water bottle;
nourishing food for the day;
sun protection; and
any other items communicated for their particular program or experience.
We encourage clothing that children can comfortably play, explore, create and get a little wild in!
What happens in wet or changing weather?
Nature is part of our classroom, and changing weather is often part of the experience.
Where conditions remain safe and appropriate, programs may continue with adapted activities, clothing or locations.
Programs may be relocated, modified, postponed or cancelled where weather, environmental conditions or other circumstances create safety or operational concerns.
Families will be contacted where significant changes are required.
What happens if my child is sick or misses a session?
Please keep children home when they are unwell and let us know as early as possible if they will be absent.
As places are reserved for the full term and our staffing, preparation and costs are planned accordingly, missed sessions due to illness, holidays, scheduling conflicts or non-attendance are generally non-refundable and non-transferable.
Where reasonable and possible, we may offer an alternative opportunity at our discretion, but make-up sessions cannot be guaranteed.
How do term bookings and payment plans work?
A term booking reserves your child’s place for the full agreed term.
Where a payment plan is selected, it allows the total term fee to be paid across agreed instalments rather than changing the booking to individual session payments.
The full term commitment therefore remains in place regardless of missed sessions, holidays, illness or withdrawal unless otherwise agreed by The Heart Folk.
Do you offer trials?
New children joining Nurture Class commence with a two-week paid trial period, providing an opportunity for the child, family and mentor team to experience the program and support a gentle transition before continuing.
Trials or introductory arrangements for other offerings may be available where specified or agreed by The Heart Folk.
What are your group sizes?
We intentionally keep our groups small to support meaningful relationships, connection, safety and a strong sense of belonging.
Group sizes and mentor ratios vary depending on the age group, offering, environment and activities involved.
Who are the mentors?
Our programs are facilitated by passionate and experienced mentors who bring their own skills, strengths and interests to The Heart Folk.
Our mentors are selected for their ability to connect meaningfully with children and contribute to an inspired, safe, grounded, playful and adventurous environment.
Required checks, qualifications and relevant training are maintained according to their role and program responsibilities.
Can I take photos or videos?
We ask families to protect the privacy and wishes of everyone within our community.
Photography and filming should be limited to your own child unless you have permission from the parent/guardian of every other identifiable child included.
Photos and videos shared within private Heart Folk family groups, including WhatsApp, are for the private enjoyment of participating families and should not be shared publicly where other identifiable children are included without permission.
Please refer to our Photography, Filming & Media Consent Policy within our Terms of Service for the complete requirements.
What do I need to complete before my child attends?
All participants must have their required Intake Information, Waiver and Consent forms fully completed and submitted before attending any The Heart Folk offering.
These forms provide our team with important information relating to emergency contacts, medical conditions and allergies, safety, behavioural, emotional, developmental and support considerations, permissions and participation requirements.
It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to ensure all required information is accurate, complete and current and to notify The Heart Folk of any relevant changes throughout their child’s participation.
Children cannot participate until all required forms and information have been completed. Any session missed or refused due to incomplete required documentation is not eligible for a refund, credit, transfer or make-up session.
Where can I read the full policies?
Our Terms of Service & Policies contain the complete conditions relating to bookings, payments, cancellations, participation, behavioural and support capacity, transitions, safety, photography and media, privacy and other important information.
All families are required to read and agree to these terms when participating in The Heart Folk offerings.
Still have a question?
We’re always happy to connect with families before joining and help determine which offering may be the best fit for your child.
Email: theheartfolk@gmail.com
All our wild love,
The Heart Folk.