Wildlife Garden
The wildlife garden was constructed over the summer of 2011. Funding was made available for this project from the Big Lottery Fund and we hope that the garden will continue to develop and grow!
Children will have the opportunity to plant, dig, grow and play in a purpose built garden area complete with raised planters, large playhouse, gardening tools and wildlife resources.
Our hope is to encouarge the children to grow their own vegetables which we can then use for snack times. The children will learn a variety of skills through hands on experiences such as sharing, turn-taking, discussion skills, tidying up and development of their fine and gross motor abilities.
As it is a wildlife garden, Mucky Pups have added many resources to encourage different insects and birds to come and nest in our garden. We hope to have baby birds nesting in their boxes and lots of butterflys fluttering through our flowers.
The wildlife garden is adjacent to our all-weather play area which features a small play house, gazebo and shop role-play. Children can use the bikes and trikes in this area as well as enjoy shade from the gazebo in the summer months.
Children will have the opportunity to plant, dig, grow and play in a purpose built garden area complete with raised planters, large playhouse, gardening tools and wildlife resources.
Our hope is to encouarge the children to grow their own vegetables which we can then use for snack times. The children will learn a variety of skills through hands on experiences such as sharing, turn-taking, discussion skills, tidying up and development of their fine and gross motor abilities.
As it is a wildlife garden, Mucky Pups have added many resources to encourage different insects and birds to come and nest in our garden. We hope to have baby birds nesting in their boxes and lots of butterflys fluttering through our flowers.
The wildlife garden is adjacent to our all-weather play area which features a small play house, gazebo and shop role-play. Children can use the bikes and trikes in this area as well as enjoy shade from the gazebo in the summer months.
The children have enjoyed exploring the play house! We use the house as a variety of different role-play expereinces but it is currently a domestic set-up with cooker, sink, babies, prams and moses basket.
(Below) Even simple activities such as climbing up and down the stairs have a deffinitive role with in play and learning. Refining gross motor skills by role-playing being a monster is an excellent way to learn!  
One of the fabulous planters as dug by the children. The plants have been selected to attract insects to the garden but also to provide sensory stimulation. Lavender for it's wonderful smell, heathers for their colour and bristly feel.
Wildlife Cam!
We now have a motion sensitive wildlife camera set up in the garden area!
We have several images and videos now of the visitors to our garden both day and night. We were however really surprised to discover we had not one but two resident hedgehogs! |
One of our 4 ladybird/bug towers situated around the garden. We hope that by early Spring these will be nicely weathered in and will attract not only ladybirds but other small creepy crawlies looking for homes!
(Below) One of the children helps Joe to dig the planters. we have lots of jobs to do before Spring arrives and we can plant new seedlings etc.  
Planters around the area provide opportunities to dig and care for the plants. We have also planted sensory plants in these too such as this tall grass plant which makes a wonderful sound when the wind blows.
(Left & Right) The children are really enjoying the playhouse and the freedom to make up their own games using the resources provided... but peering out of the window to see what's going on is also great fun!
More wildlife pictures... we also have 2 or 3 squirrels who come to feed in the garden! They can be quite comical to watch and the children love watching their antics out of the windows.
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