The children in Toddler Room at our Rugby nursery have been on a trip to Mini Meadows farm this month. A coach arrived at Daisykins at 9'o'clock and all the car seats were loaded on and strapped in securely. Parents were informed of the trip beforehand and all the children were given permission to go and parents provided the children's individual car seats. It was a nice sunny day so practitioners ensured that all the children were covered in sun cream and were all wearing hats. When everything was ready the children were put onto the coach and were all very excited for their trip.During the journey the practitioners sang some nursery rhyme songs and the children joined in. These included 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star', 'Baa, Baa Black Sheep' and some of our sing and sign songs, e.g. 'Milk and Biscuits' which the children joined in the signs too.When they arrived at the farm the children were very excited to get off the coach and explore. Practitioners were given responsibility for a couple of children each and held on to their hands, using reigns to keep them safe. As they were going into the farm they noticed a frog on the floor and the children identified what it was and made a ribbit noise.
Practitioners brought some animal feed so that the children could feed the animals which they really enjoyed doing. They were encouraged to put some onto their hand and hold it out for the sheep to eat. One child said "Tickles, tickles" and some of the children giggled at the feel. The children saw a variety of other animals too, including pigs, cows, alpacas and chickens and they were able to identify them shouting the animal names out when they saw them. There was also an area indoors where there were rabbits in pens and the children were able to get in with them. The children seemed to really enjoy this and were encouraged to stroke them carefully and give them some carrots to eat. They had grain and seeds to feed the chickens as well and the children were very good at throwing this to them.At lunch time the children and practitioners all gathered round to have a picnic in the indoor area. They had sandwiches, crisps, a biscuit and a drink of water. They then sang some more songs, including 'Old McDonald had a farm and the children joined in with the signs for the animals. After they had eaten the children went off to play in the play area, they enjoyed taking it in turns to have a go on the swing, enjoyed going up and down the slide and running around having fun, giggling at each other. There were also toy tractors to ride on and the children enjoyed taking it in turns to have a go and there was a big tractor that the practitioners sat the children on, encouraging them to pretend to steer using the big steering wheel.
Here at Daisykins Nursery in Rugby practitioners like to provide different experiences for the children both within and away from the nursery. The children had a great time so we will definitely be repeating this trip again!
