We are back! Term 4 begins

We have been on two weeks holiday and now we are back. Everyone was very busy and excited to be back. There was much excitement as the children perused the broad bean garden and found lots and lots of beans. It has rained lots in the holidays so the gardens were well watered and everything GREW!! Once the children had picked the pods then they raced off to the food table to put them on the table for everyone to share. Some thought they were Yum - some not so much!!

Some like MJ were delighted to be back to the clay to create new works of art --

And others were happy to be back climbing on our new balancing rope.
We were all pleased to see each other again after two weeks.

Kindergarten at the farm - the Rocky Shore

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Back at the Farm - the first time this term

We love being at the farm and today was our first day back after the holidays. We had lots of children with us who have just joined the morning session and for them this was the first time at Kindergarten on the Farm. We needed to learn the rules at the farm and the children who are old hands were happy to help the new children learn:
No chasing animals
Wait at the gate till an adult comes
Don't touch the electric fence!!!
No climbing on fences, gates or rock walls.
Great remembering everyone.
First we checked out the sheep yards where Garry was organising to sort the sheep and drench them too.

We really like watching the everyday jobs around the farm and this time we learnt about wool too as Janine was taking some bales away. The wool was a bit smelly but will make great jumpers, scarves or socks the children thought.

Once we had had mat-time we went off for a bit of an explore in the bush area close by. It is a fun place to find bugs or climb trees.

Next stop we wandered off to the animals to check out pigs (and give Sou E a scratch), turkeys - the babies Skywalker and Talula have grown since we were here - and then into the chickens to wonder if we could see any eggs. No luck today.

While we walked along suddenly there was a rainbow above us. It looked stunning and one of the children suggested we could slide down it. It did look that close.

Lastly there was just time for a scramble over the rocks on our way home through the paddocks. Rock climbing is a highlight of the walk home. It's tricky climbing with a bag on your back but it's good balancing practice too.

The walk home is just part of being at the farm now and we have fabulous walkers who amble along chatting and playing and ENJOYING the walk.

A special farm day - a visit to Ambury Park centre for riding therapy

Our friend Janine from Ambury Farm had organised a special day for us - a visit to the Riding Therapy centre at the other end of Ambury farm. We had mat-time as usual, looked and smelt and felt the day and then we had a long long walk to the centre.

When we walked past the big trees Zinnie called "look Carol the trees are dying" and when Carol asked why he said" cos its getting cold now and nearly winter".
Being out in the natural environment is a great way for children to gain understandings of the natural world and in this case of the seasons passing.

The trees are in our favourite farm paddock "the Lost Gardens". we like it there and often spend time there exploring.

When we got to the centre we had morning tea together under the trees.

Then we went off to the stables and we were lucky enough to see the farrier working putting new shoes on the horse.

We walked along and patted the horses - they were very patient and coped well with so many small children. The children were very calm and quiet and got to pat the noses of the horses.

Then we had another morning tea and went to meet the pony club horses who came over to see us. By then it was time for us to go back to kindergarten, another big walk. The children are very good at walking now and wander along checking out things in their path and having a chat. It is fun and very sociable.

A very very big thankyou to the Therapy Centre for hosting our visit.

Our second Monday back on Ambury Farm

We arrived and checked out the animals - the bunnies first, always the bunnies first!!!

 Then after mattime it was off to check out the chickens, pig, turkey, sheep and goats. Next we wandered off to the camping ground to pitch our tents and explore the bush areas.

We find all sorts of things in the bush and  even a roll in the grass is a fun event at the farm, pure joy!!

We love being back at the farm!!!!

The Rocky Shore

The tide goes SOOO far out at the farm and so we can explore the rocky shore in safety.

We turn over rocks, investigate grassy knolls and enjoy the muddy experience.

And then once again we walk home across the paddocks. Some children have found this challenging - the distance - but in fact we are advocates for children walking for fitness and this experience increases their capability at walking distances. We want children to see this as just part of the farm and no big deal. It is what we do here. (And look at that fabulous long grass - it is just like a bear hunt, swishing through the long grass).

Looking after our trees at the Farm

We are an Enviroschools kindergarten and when Janine suggested we help plant a stand of trees and then come back to mulch them we were delighted to be able to do so.

We began our usual Monday at the farm by watching Gary the farmer work in the yards - always something we enjoy. Then we wandered around to check out the piglets - there were 12 of them in with their mum and we love seeing how they are getting on each week.

We did get a little sidetracked at a favourite place where children love to practice jumping into the air and "flying"

Finally after some food and a drink of water it was time to cross the paddocks to 'our tree planting spot' and see what work needed doing.

Gary had left two bales of straw for us to use and we got to work and mulched the trees to protect for the summer. Hard work but fun and then it was time to walk back over the paddocks back to kindergarten.

Back on the farm - to check out the new piglets

It's great to be back at kindergarten for the new term - and especially to be down on the farm again.

We spent the morning checking out the new piglets, so cute and then went off to spend time in the 'forest' near the frame.

We found a duck sitting on her nest - and kept her company for a while.

Some children found a pukeko nest too. The pukeko had wandered off for a while and left 3 eggs but Janine assures us she will be back to look after them and lay more yet.

We wandered back through the paddocks to kindergarten - climbing the rocks and exploring in the grass.

Another fantastic day down on the farm. We love it!!!!