Farm School
Ethos & Benefits
At our nursery we absolutely enjoy bringing learning to life! Whether it’s feeding Bruno, Rupert, Luigi and Benji the guinea pigs, collecting eggs from the resident hens, or simply watching our donkeys Jasper and Blossom trot around the Orchard. These experiences give children an opportunity to build confidence, develop kindness, and enjoy the wonderful magic of nature. By welcoming and keeping animals at Nursery Days, we create a fun, engaging and nurturing space where children can learn and grow while making lots of magical memories with our animal friends.
Why animals are great for children:
Looking after animals can teach responsibility and care and children learn how to be kind and nurturing. Animals create a happy space, they bring comfort and help children feel relaxed. Having animals makes learning even more fun and hands-on. For example, children help to make their habitat and learn about what each animal eats and needs.
Achieving tasks, like feeding animals or looking after their habitat, makes children feel proud and independent.
Caring for animals together builds social skills and cooperation.
Whether it’s counting the eggs, or feeding donkeys hay, children will enjoy fresh air, responsibilities and being outdoors.
Having animals really encourages a love for nature and respect for the environment.
Our Animals
Here are the lovely animals we have at Nursery Days!
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Jasper & Blossom - Donkeys
Jasper the Donkey is Blossoms big brother. He loves basking in the spring sun and enjoys nothing more than being petted on the back and snuggling up with his little sister. Blossom is the smaller of our Donkeys. She gets super excited to see the children and is quick to greet everyone. Blossom has a sweet tooth and enjoys the odd ginger biscuit, but who doesn't!
Jemima & Beatrice - Chickens
Our laying Hens are big characters and really are the queens of the orchard. They joined us from our hatching program and won our hearts as we watched them grow.
Snowflake - Chicken
Our Silky Hen is just lovely. The children get so pleased when they find her brilliant white eggs and love using them for cooking club.
Bruno- Guinea Pig
Our grey and white guinea is full of beans and is really funny as he pops in and out of his tube run. He makes the children all giggle lots!
Benji - Guinea Pig
​Our black and tanned Guinea Pig is a real cutie, he enjoys a cuddle and loves his food that the children feed him.
Rupert - Guinea Pig
Our shy little Rupert, he loves a cuddle but he loves to hide in the straw and pop his head out to play peek a boo with the children.
Luigi - Guinea Pig
Our lively guinea pig loves to play with his toys and snuggle his head in for a snuggle. He loves fresh vegetables and is always happily crunching away.
Dot, Golfy & Lilly - Fish
Dot the Fish has recently been joined by Golfy and Lilly. The children had a fab time voting for their lovely names and chose them some pretty aquarium flowers for their new home.
Elvis - Tortoise
Is 21 years old now and whilst he isn’t worried about blue suede shoes he is a real mover. Tortoises are really not as slow as you might think and Elvis is a prime example of this. He has a little difficulty getting enough calcium so needs a little extra care at times. This means he is loved and cared for that little bit more.