Farm School
Ethos & Benefits
We believe there is truly something special about growing up looking after animals. At Orchidale, our friendly animals bring many opportunities for children to learn, play and connect with nature. Children at our nursery love watching our small colourful fish swimming around in their fish tank or look after bantams called Hairy McClary and Winnie. Children learn to gently stroke and care for the nursery rabbits- Coco and Marshmallow. And while helping to feed the animals or watching baby chicks hatch, these moments help children grow as kind, confident, and curious learners. With these animals as part of nursery life, every day is filled with exciting discoveries and so much joy!
How animals make nursery even more amazing:
These special animals encourage kindness and gentle hands while teaching children to be patient and caring.
They bring comfort and reassurance.
Seeing real life animals in action encourages curiosity about nature and encourages children to ask questions.
They help children make friends and create lots of treasured moments.
Completing important tasks helps children feel a sense of accomplishment.
Most of all, it fosters a love for the natural world.
Our Animals
Here are the lovely animals we have at Orchidale!
Winnie - Chicken
This is Winnie, our chicken. She is named after our favourite story book- Winnie the Witch. She lives in our House Martins garden with her best friend Hairy Maclary. She loves to be held and loves to spend time with all of her two legged preschool friends. Her favourite thing to do is peck at all the treat toys that we make and hang up for her.
Marshmallow - Rabbitt
This is Marshmallow, our bunny rabbit. He lives with Coco in our Robin’s garden and has done for 3 years now! We voted for their names ourselves and chose Marshmallow because he looks like a giant marshmallow! He loves to lay in the sunshine and have a special strawberry treat! The children love to take a walk to Ken’s Corn Store to buy all the bedding and food for both bunnies!
Coco - Rabbitt
Coco lives with Marshmallow in the Robin’s garden where she has lots of space to hop around. She is called Coco like hot chocolate because she gets on so well with Marshmallow. Coco loves to have cuddles and loves to have her fur brushed by all the children. Her favourite treat is a slice of red apple.
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Hairy Maclary
This is Hairy Maclary our cockerel. We named him after one of our favourite storybook characters. He has lived with us for 2 and a half years with his best friend in the whole world - our chicken Winnie. His favourite food is millet spray and spinach and we love walking to the local shop to buy him all his treats.
Fish
Meet Mary, Bob and Gilbert. They all live together in a colourful tank in the Wrens room with all our babies.
Mary is big and all over orange. She loves food and is always first to eat.
Bob is orange and white and loves to float near the top of the tank!
Gilbert is black, orange and white and loves to hide behind all the plants in the tank.
We love to add new and exciting things to the tank for the fish and we will walk around to the aquatics shop at Taverham Garden Centre to buy some funky statues and decorations for the fish tank.