Reception Chicks

Children in Reception Class have been expanding their knowledge of animals this term. They enjoyed a visit from Farmer James just before the Easter break and now have been gifted 18 chicken eggs to enhance their learning. 

Miss Evans has said “The children are so excited, curious and intrigued to learn about the eggs. They are counting down the days until they hatch using an egg hatching calendar. Each day they are eagerly waiting to see what happens inside the incubator.”

The children are learning a lot of new language and vocabulary through this hands-on experience which is developing their communication and language skills. Reception Class are also developing their understanding of the life cycle, growth and changes. 

The eggs are a cross-curricular activity and are also being used to develop the children's understanding of the world, by allowing the children to use their knowledge of science by guessing what they think will happen and observing the changes over the 21day incubation period. 

There are less than two weeks left until the eggs hatch and the children are counting down the days. Once the chicks arrive they will spend a few days in the classroom allowing pupils to hold them and learn how to look after them, then they will return to Farmer James and the other animals at his farm.

After three weeks of looking after the eggs in the incubator, Reception was so excited to see an egg starting to crack. All day the children were carefully observing the egg to see if there were any changes. When the children came into school the next day, four fluffy chicks were sitting in the incubator. The children were in awe and fascinated by the tiny little chicks and curiously asked lots of questions. Over the next few days, more eggs began to hatch, and the children could look after the chicks in the classroom. 

Reception held and cared for the chicks and even gave them names like 'Cutie', 'Princess Bob', 'Fluffles' and 'Rosie.' The children handled the chicks so carefully and gently. The chicks have inspired Reception to write about their experiences. The children have learnt so much vocabulary and language. The 'Chicken life cycle topic' has enthralled the children, and they have learnt so much. Reception and Miss Evans want to thank Farmer Kimberley and Farmer James for letting us look after their eggs and chicks. It was definitely an inspiring and memorable experience.

click here for more details or to contact Little Cedars Day Nursery at Heathfield Knoll School