Young Farmers Childcare Centre is a brand new centre in Kumeu, Auckland with a practicing farm theme. The children experience a nurturing environment where they grow, learn, develop and thrive through hands-on farm life adventures.
In May this year, as part of setting up the centre, they felt a chicken paddock and coop was an integral part of the farm life and a real focus they could give their children every day.
They contacted Outpost Buildings in the lead up to their Open Day to order a 3 Bay Hen House.
Farm Manager Nicola Ward says the main reason they chose Outpost was because they already had an older Outpost farm building on the land and it is a well-respected brand in the rural community.
“Outpost went above and beyond to source a coop of the right size for us, bringing one up to Auckland in a short timeframe so that we could have it ready for our Open Day. We really appreciated this extra effort!”
Nicola says they knew they had made the right choice with Outpost as soon as the chicken coop had been built and they saw it in place in their paddock with the chickens in situ.
“The children love their twice daily visits, checking for eggs, cleaning and replenishing the straw,” she says.
Their favourite part of the coop is that it’s roomy, airy, easy to move around in and maintain with the children.
“We love our Outpost Chicken Coop. It’s so roomy for the children to be able to get in and out, easy to clean. It’s really easy to check our chickens and our eggs. The favourite activity of the children is coming to collect the eggs. It’s been fantastic.”
The centre is gathering numerous eggs every day and enjoy getting to share them with the childrens’ families.
Nicola says Outpost has met their expectations around practicality and quality and it meets their needs both for now and the future.
To find out more about Outpost chicken coops visit https://outpostbuildings.co.nz/collections/chicken-coop-hen-houses
What are the benefits of a childcare centre having a chicken coop?
Having a chicken coop at a childcare or early learning centre offers a wide range of educational, social and environmental benefits including:
- Hands-on Learning: Children gain practical knowledge about animals, food systems, and sustainability by observing chickens and caring for them.
- Responsibility and Empathy: Caring for animals teaches children responsibility, empathy, and commitment.
- Physical and Outdoor Engagement: Tasks like cleaning the coop and collecting eggs help develop gross motor skills and encourage outdoor play.
- Social Skills: Working together to care for the chickens fosters teamwork, communication, and leadership.
- Critical Thinking: Children engage in problem-solving and inquiry-based learning by observing and interacting with the chickens.
- Sensory Development: Interacting with chickens provides valuable sensory experiences that aid cognitive growth.
- Food and Nutrition Awareness: Children learn about food production, waste reduction, and the importance of sustainable practices.
- Environmental Stewardship: The chicken coop promotes sustainable practices like composting and waste reduction, teaching children about ecological responsibility.
- Unique Learning Environment: The coop creates lasting memories and a sense of ownership in children, contributing to a positive, empowered learning atmosphere.
Find out more
Transform your school environment, one egg at a time! Contact our team to find out more about how Outpost buildings have been used in education facilities around New Zealand.
