TEY_10_1_2020

82 Teachearlyyears.com Create a focal point for outdoor activities without breaking the bank with this idea from Jonny Keen … WORKING IN CHILDCARE IS HARD, especially when you’re dealing with a tight budget and limited resources. One of the hardest things is coming up with original activities that hit all those pesky EYFS criteria, particularly when focusing on the natural world. Toddlers may not understand the nuances of the insect apocalypse and the climate crisis, but parents are increasingly focused on environmental issues and keen for their kids to get hands on with the natural world. And you’ll be surprised by how many four- year-olds are David Attenborough fans. But if you’re working in a setting in the middle of a city, there’s only so much you can do. And it’s not as if you can turn that few feet of scrubland that fringes the playground into a haven for wildlife, right? Wrong! Here’s an activity that’s cheap, easy and provides a wealth of opportunities for children to learn about wildlife and the natural world in a fun and safe way. If you’ve got a few feet of space in your setting’s outdoor area free, plus a budget of £20 or so, you can build your very own mini- pond which will attract insects, amphibians and all sorts of beasties to dazzle your kids for years to come. It may sound ambitious, but it’s as easy as it is fun. WHAT TO DO Step 1: First, find a solid container to hold the pond water; a large washing-up tub works best as its thick surface is less likely to crack in colder months. Find a patch of ground, dig a hole and plant your container. Step 2: Line the bottom with a layer of aquarium gravel. You can buy this cheaply at any pet shop. It’s also a good idea to place a brick or large stone at the bottom which can act as a step for animals to get in and out of the water. This is especially important for any hedgehogs that might fall in and need a way out. Step 3: Now it’s time to fill the pond! Collect rainwater in whatever containers you have lying about in the days before setting up the pond; don’t be tempted just to fill it with tap water or animals won’t thrive there. Step 4: Buy a couple of aquatic plants to place around the edges. These can be easily picked up from garden centres or pet shops and there are a variety on offer so you can choose the ones that appeal most to you and your children. These plants help to attract insects and keep the water clear. START LEARNING! You’ll find that setting up the pond is a lot of fun – kids can help with the design and placement, as well as digging the hole, collecting rainwater and planting. But the best thing about the mini pond is that it allows a setting to create a long-term hub for nature activities that can be used again and again, while the seasons make this a varied activity. Summer may see dragonflies and other insects approaching the pool, while frogs may lay their spawn there. You may even be lucky enough to have a toad hibernate over winter! When I did this activity at my setting, I used a tiny strip down an alleyway behind the wheelie bins. It was a bit of soil that never would have been used for anything else. The children were delighted to have created their own haven for plants and animals and it spurred further interest in activities related to conservation and animals. There you have it! A small investment gives the kids something to marvel over and beleaguered staff a bountiful source of observations and pictures to impress the parents. MAKE YOUR OWN… mini pond JONNY KEEN IS A FREELANCE WRITER AND FORMER NURSERY PRACTITIONER. DON’T FORGET l Limited maintenance is required – the occasional topping up of water and renewal of plants. l You’ll need to do a thorough risk assessment, but the pond will only be a foot deep. If children are only attending it under supervision, it should be perfectly safe.