Flora and Fauna at Rachel Keeling

At Rachel Keeling we are so lucky to have a team of staff who are passionate about outdoor learning - we value the rich learning environment that our garden provides. 
Being aligned with the seasons of the year mean children have jobs to do with staff all year round to keep our garden and its wildlife flourishing. 
Children love meaningful, first hand jobs with real tools and purpose.
They have been supported to develop skills and understanding of how to care for the flora and fauna in our garden. 
At this point in the year we are enjoying seeing so many visitors to our garden: not only is our resident cat becoming very relaxed around the children, but we have so many other creatures who can be found. 
Just look at the photographs to see if you can see:
A fly
A ladybird
A spider
A frog
A snail
We are always very careful when we spot creatures to respect and observe them first and then think about whether we can touch or move them. 
Children now show great knowledge and appreciation - they are able to identify and name creatures and will support each other in caring for them.
We often use books or the internet to find out more information: for example when the pond was cloudy recently, we were worried our frogspawn might not survive: Maria and some children discovered some straw and a special solution would help to clear the water.
Children have been working with Nazma all year, planting, weeding, watering and tending to our fruit and vegetables.
Can you see the redcurrants, strawberry plants, raspberries and grapes growing already?
Soon it will be time to harvest, prepare and share them.
Maybe in time for our Platinum Jubilee Celebration on 8 July?