A mischievous kitten, a cute bunny, a fluffy chick or a friendly dog, you cannot fail to miss the delight in a small child’s face when they interact with animals.
However, there is much more to child and animal interactions than meets the eye. Young children need to have the opportunities to spend time with animals and it is much more than stimulating their senses.
Children love cuddling fluffy animals and experiencing how they look, eat, move, sound and feel, but animal interactions have so many more benefits. Research has shown that animal interactions can improve children’s social interaction, increase motivation and learning and reduce stress and anxiety. Learning about empathy, relationships, the environment and nature are just some of the benefits children receive by caring for animals. Having a pet at a Cylch Meithrin gives children an opportunity to observe, interact and learn about animals and it can be a valuable part of their education and care experience, enriching their learning about nature, ecology and relationships. The Curriculum for funded non maintained nursery settings recognises that every child in our setting is unique and it supports their holistic development by keeping the developmental needs of our children at the forefront of pedagogical practice. Our role as enabling adults is to use our observations to plan experiences and environments that are meaningful and relevant to children’s interests. Animal interactions are a perfect way of fulfilling this as many children have a natural curiosity about living things.
Not all Cylchoedd will be in a position to keep a pet, however, it is possible for Cylchoedd to arrange animal-based interactions and animal visits to the Cylch to provide opportunities for children to have direct contact with animals and develop bonds with them. There are many things to consider when introducing animals into the setting, such as the safety of staff, the children, students on work experience, visitors and volunteers; the safety and welfare of the animals or other living creatures; affordability, allergies, etc.
Staff members responsible for an animal or other living creature within the Cylch Meithrin have a legal obligation to ensure that the animal or living creature’s welfare needs are met, as noted in the Animal Welfare Act 2006:
- Suitable diet, including access to fresh water at all times
- Adequate accommodation
- Suitable companionship, according to the needs of that specific animal or living creature
- Space and opportunity to exhibit natural behaviours
- Defence from pain, suffering, injury and sickness
It is a requirement of CIW to note clearly in the Statement of Purpose, information about any animal being kept in a setting (this also includes a goldfish!); or if the setting intends to arrange contact with animals and other living creatures as part of the Cylch Meithrin’s activities.
Many Cylchoedd Meithrin have pets and enjoy their immense benefits. Pets can be the safe keepers of secrets and private thoughts; they provide a connection to nature and improve children’s well-being; they teach respect for living things and provide valuable lessons about life such as reproduction, death, bereavement, accidents, birth and illnesses.
Please see our case studies on ‘animal interactions’ and the stories of the pets some settings keep or the animal interactions they provide.
(see Mudiad Meithrin’s Animal Handling Policy for further information on our intranet)
