It's very egg-citing times at Maylands Early Learning Centre! In line with our unique Approach to Learning, where we acknowledge the environment is the third teacher and that learning can happen anywhere, the centre has hatched eggs and is now rearing chickens, which the children help to care for.
The chickens have laid their first eggs and the children have taken it upon themselves to make practice bedding for the eggs with rocks in place of the egg!
Centre Manager Jenna explains “Our chickens are growing really well and are laying up to eight eggs a week. They live in the coup and the children have been learning what scraps of food the chickens can eat as they work with our food coordinator to collect food scraps for the chickens.
“Caring for the chickens and collecting the eggs is now a relished part of our daily routine. We have a parent who comes in once a month and assists in cleaning the coup with some help from the kindy children.”
To give the chickens a tasty treat the children have now planted sunflower seeds in their already thriving vegie patch, which have taken off really well.
“Danny loves caring for the chickens and I believe seeing the process from the egg hatching to the chickens laying the eggs has really encouraged empathy and a greater appreciation of wholesome healthy food.” confirms one of the parents.
Maylands ELC, 168 Guildford Road, Maylands and Ashdale ELC, 44 Westport Parade, Darch have Open Days on Saturday 9 November.
For more details visit YMCA WA Early Learning Centres Facebook events page