The Pros of Pets

Cheep Cheep Cheep.... 6 adorable little chickens made their way into preschool today! Our chicken coop is undergoing some minor repairs and then these 6 fluffy little gems will become permanent preschool residents (saved by Tash from an unfortunate fate!!) In the mean time, they have gone home with one of our lovely families.

Having pets/animals in our service has always been important to us. Currently we have tadpoles and silkworms and we have previously had ducks, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds. I am always amazed at the joy and learning animals bring:

• Gaining an understanding of lifecycles - watching the tadpoles and silkworms grow and change
• Caring for others - feeding, changing water, sweeping out the enclosure, adding new straw
• Gaining an understanding of where food comes from - collecting the eggs from the chickens and using them in cooking
• A calming effect - so often I have seen littlies who are struggling with mum or dad leaving, calm down when face to face with a furry friend

Sometimes I hear that it must be hard work to have animals in the centre....and yes, it is... But the reward is totally worth it!!