The Hourglass Time Education Forest & FreewayTM Program supports early childhood educators to strengthen their understanding of children’s behaviour, emotional regulation and co-regulation through a practical, relationship-based approach.

Using the Forest & FreewayTM model, educators explore what may be sitting underneath children’s behaviours and how adults can respond with calm, connection and intention. The program helps educators recognise when children are experiencing stress, overwhelm or big emotions — the “freeway” — and how to guide them back towards the “forest”, a calmer and more regulated state.

This program supports educators to build confidence in responding to challenging moments, reduce escalation, and create environments where children feel safe, understood and supported. It also encourages teams to develop shared language and consistent approaches across the service.

Key components include co-regulation, behaviour as communication, practical response strategies, team consistency and reflective practice.

Forest & FreewayTM supports services to build a more intentional, compassionate and consistent approach to behaviour, regulation and emotional wellbeing, helping children develop the skills and confidence to navigate big feelings, relationships and everyday challenges.

Expected outcomes:

• Improved understanding of emotional development in early childhood.
• Improved ability to understand and regulate their own emotions.
• Improved ability to model and teach emotional regulation strategies.
• Improved ability to manage emotional conflicts.

Forest & FreewayTM can be delivered through two flexible options, depending on the needs and location of the service.

Whole Service Implementation is delivered face-to-face and includes the whole service team. This option includes a 4-hour training session, 4 hours of coaching, and a face-to-face visit to support implementation in practice. It is delivered across 4 sessions and is designed to support shared language, team consistency and practical application across the whole service.

Hybrid and Regional Access is designed for services that may prefer online access or are located regionally. This option includes online pre-recorded training that educators can complete individually or as a team, along with 6 hours of online coaching to support reflection, planning and implementation. It is delivered across 4 sessions and supports services to embed the Forest & FreewayTM approach in a flexible and accessible way.

Whole Service Implementation = Total program cost: $5,000 (This program runs over 12 months)

Hybrid and Regional Access = Total program cost: $3,100 (This program runs over 12 months)

Delivery Mode – Online training incurs no travel costs

Face-to-face sessions may include travel expenses. Where travel costs apply for sites more than 40km from Adelaide CBD, these prices will vary depending on the location and distance:

Travel will be charged at $80/hour

Accommodation will be between $200-$300