Palm Cockatoos

Our kindy garden was filled with wonder this week when an extraordinary visitor arrived from the treetops above!

A magnificent Palm Cockatoo wandered quietly through our outdoor space, calmly exploring alongside the children as if it had always belonged there. Time seemed to slow as curious eyes followed every movement — the children were captivated!

What made this moment even more special was the connection to the children’s voices and ideas from years before. In 2024, the kindy children shared their dreams for our outdoor environment, imagining spaces filled with nature, native birds and places where wildlife could belong alongside us. One much-loved idea was the creation of a “parrot garden”.

This week, a whole new group of children watched in amazement as a real Palm Cockatoo wandered through the very gardens where those ideas first began — almost as though the vision of the 2024 children had come to life before our eyes!

What began as a spontaneous visit quickly blossomed into rich and meaningful learning. Clipboards, pencils, paper and thoughtful conversations filled our spaces as children carefully created observational drawings and shared theories about why the cockatoo had visited our garden.

As the day unfolded, so did deeper conversations about protecting native wildlife and how we can continue creating spaces where animals feel safe and welcome.

These are the moments that remind us learning is alive — growing through curiosity, connection, wonder and the freedom to follow meaningful experiences as they unfold.