Back at Ambury Farm

After having our gathering time at the farm and singing Nau mai Kautou to the new children who joined us at the farm for the first time we went off to have morning tea.

Then Janine came by and told us she was off to work the horses if we wanted to come and watch. Then Garry arrived to tell us the truck was coming to pick up some cattle so we had a choice of what to do!! The children organised themselves to play 'Duck,duck, goose' and then we heard the truck rumbling in the gate.

 

 WE raced off to wait at the fence until the truck was in position, then went and sat on our viewing place to watch them load the cattle. Some had to go up the ramp to the top floor so it was very interesting watching them go on.

 Then it was off to watch Janine lunge the horses. they are learning at the farm too. They are learning to follow instructions and be able to pull a wagon or a plough. They are huge Clydesdales called Colin and Connor and they like having work to do.

On our walk through the paddocks we found a dead rabbit last term and we have been watching it decompose. There is only some skin and fur left now and we can see the bones appearing. It has created a lot of discussion with the children about what happened to it.

 Finally we get to admire the amazing view back over the farm as we climb our ladder and wander down the walkway, past our very productive community garden. Back at kindergarten in time for lunch.

Kindergarten at the Farm on Mondays: Planting for Matariki

Carol and two children chose these photos of our planting for Matariki at the farm on Monday. 

Janine had the trees ready in the fenced off area and after a bit of morning tea to sustain us (up by the frame) we climbed into the area and planted the trees. We planted akeake, harekeke, kanuka, ti kouka, wharangi and whau trees and then after kindergarten one of  our children and his great Grandad went off to check them out. They thought we had done a very good job.

 Of course no trip to the farm would be complete without a paddle in a puddle ( isn't that what gumboots are for?),  a roll in the grass and just time for exploring and a chat before we walked back to kindergarten. Another fun filled day at Kindergarten at the Farm on Mondays.

Kindergarten at the farm

Kindergarten at the farm this week was to be a trip to the foreshore but NO! that was not what happened. Because we had the teachers from Singapore we thought we should tour the animals first, which we did. We visited with the goats, Basil and Skippy, Timmy the turkey and the chickens. 

As we went past the stockyards we found Gary and his dogs moving sheep so we stopped to watch. The dogs were more interested in the children and their back packs than work sometimes - we are a bit of a distraction. However we really enjoyed watching them work, leaping over the fences and back with ease.

Then it was off across the paddocks but we had to take a detour to avoid the bull paddock and we ended up in loop road where we stopped for food, drink, soccer and a play amongst the 'bush'. Our Singaporean visitors enjoyed the stop and exploring, looking for bugs.

Whenever we find space it is definitely time for soccer and it turned into quite a long game.

When there is space it is also time to pitch the tents and pile in and so that happened too.

Before we knew it it was time to pack up and wander back up through the paddocks. On the way there was time for a roll in the grass - of course- and also for exploring the contents of a cowpat!!!!!! Another very successful day.

Kindergarten at the farm in the Lava cave

Everyone was very excited and spent the weekend asking "is it Lava cave day yet" and finally this morning it arrived.

For this Kindergarten at the farm day it was cloudy but hot and when the children arrived at the farm they had their torches at the ready for this exciting adventure. We had our usual meeting to talk about where we would be and what we needed to remember and off we went to the paddock - without the big bull thank goodness,  Gary had moved him. We set up our tents and got the hard hats on and we were ready to enter the cave.
"It's cool in the hot lava cave"
"It's like snow coming down"
"It's like a tunnel"
"Look how far the light goes"
"It's just like we are in a volcano"
"It's not scarey when you have a torch"
"It's cool exploring eh?"
"There are no bears in there"
"I like all the big rocks"
How old is this cave?"
Most children wanted to go back in more than once but some stayed out using the magnifying glasses when they turned rocks over. Others spent time in the tents, camping has become quite a favourite activity. The children are a great help pitching and lowering the tents.
Our fantastic parents make this all possible - as do the lovely farm staff. Thanks everyone this is an amazing opportunity.

Kindergarten at the farm Animal Day

The weather was uncertain for our third Kindergarten at the farm day so we decided to have an animal day. Unexpectedly we watched Gary the farm manager load the sheep onto a truck and also shear some sheep. 

We were just so lucky to be there when this was happening. It was great to watch these every day events at the farm. 

What are we learning being at the farm every week? Farm etiquette like NO chasing the animals, No climbing on gates or fences, Shut the gate when you go through, stay away from the water troughs - its where the animals get their drink, and to be quiet and calm around the farm animals so we dont scare them. This is their home.

Then there was just time for some food nd drink and then it was time to walk home across the paddocks. Just like Mr Gumpy.

Another fabulous day.

Kindergarten at the farm

We have always enjoyed a close association with Ambury Farm and  over the course of the last year have been considering ways in which we can strengthen our ties with the farm and deepen the experience of visiting the farm.

At the end of 2010, we initiated discussion with Ambury Farm about the possibility of visiting the farm one day a week, giving us more time to explore the natural features the farm has to offer us.

We wish to explore features of the farm in more depth in keeping with our focus on sustainability and the environment. Some of the educational outcomes we envisage resulting from these visits, linked to all learning areas across both the early childhood and school curriculum, are:

·      building connections to the land and areas of local significance individually and to Maori

·      experiencing aspects of being part of a group and a community

·      strengthening concepts of self and increasing confidence and capabilities

·      caring for the environment

·      awareness of wide natural spaces

·      the ability to relate to others outside the kindergarten environment and take responsibility

·      awareness that rules are different in different settings

·      enjoying the challenge that comes from viewing and exploring unfamiliar surroundings

·  participate and enjoy walking as a healthy and normal exercise

We believe Kindergarten at the farm on Mondays is an exciting opportunity and will provide fantastic learning experiences for children and adults alike.

Today was the first 'Kindergarten at the Farm' morning and we arranged to meet the children at the farm and spend the morning in different areas each time. For the first Kindergarten at the Farm (Ambury Farm) we took tents and went to the camping ground.

The children explored the 'bush' finding slaters, snail shells, interesting shaped sticks, a birds nest and leaves and flax. It was all a fabulous learning experience. Children worked together exploring and playing with children they might not normally play with within the kindergarten playground. It was a fantastic relationship building event. Our parent helpers got a chance to get to know each other too. And then it was up through the paddocks for the long walk home. Just a great day!!!!