The Nurture School is nestled in the heart of a lush Kawatiri native forest near Westport, that is bursting with biodiversity. A beautiful stream winds through the grounds, creating a vibrant, living classroom teeming with plant and animal life. This unique natural setting offers the perfect environment for young minds to flourish and explore.  Click here to see our location on a map.

The Nurture School We provide a one-day a week nature based learning program designed for students in Years 4 through 8. We welcome students of all genders, backgrounds, and abilities. Our environment is especially supportive for neurodiverse students, offering a safe and nurturing space proven to help them thrive.

We are offering two one-day-per-week programs, held on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 2:40pm. Each is led by experienced educators who provide meaningful learning opportunities in a small group setting (often as low as a 1:5 ratio).

There are no prerequisites to join. No school referrals, interviews, or academic testing needed!

No uniform is required, but students must bring items from our required Gear List to ensure they are safe, happy, and comfortable in the outdoors.

The cost of the Nurture School is $70 per day and full term payment is required upfront.

Our program supports and enhances traditional schooling by integrating the New Zealand Curriculum Key Competencies:

• Thinking
• Relating to Others
• Using Language, Symbols, and Texts
• Managing Self
• Participating and Contributing

These are embedded through thoughtful lesson planning to help foster lifelong learning dispositions. We operate under Section 53 of the Education Act, which allows schools to decide whether to release students to attend programmes like ours. Our attendance practices follow the New Zealand Education Act to ensure compliance and transparency.

To enquire about enrolling, please contact us using our Contact Form