Baby chicks have arrived at BestStart Glenfield, bringing joy, curiosity, and hands-on learning to our tamariki. From watching eggs hatch to caring for chickens and sharing eggs with whānau, children are exploring nature, responsibility, and kaitiakitanga in meaningful ways.
At BestStart Glenfield, the arrival of baby chicks has brought excitement, learning, and a deeper connection to nature. Our beloved chickens, Haihei and Manok, have become the stars of the playground as the children eagerly observe and care for them.
To enrich this experience, we introduced fertilised eggs, allowing tamariki to witness the magical process of hatching. The moment the first chick arrived, we were all so excited and shared the news on Storypark with our whānau. One of our mums even made us two knitted chickens that her son proudly showed Haihei and Manok, saying, “Look what my mum made for you.”
This hands-on journey has become a meaningful way to teach kaitiakitanga — guardianship and care for Papatūānuku, our Earth Mother. The children are learning to feed, clean, and gently handle the chicks, developing empathy and responsibility. They understand that caring for animals is part of caring for the land.
As part of our garden-to-table initiative, eggs laid by Haihei and Manok are shared with our preschool community. This encourages healthy eating and strengthens the connection between home and centre.
Through this project, our tamariki are growing into thoughtful kaitiaki, learning that even the smallest creatures deserve respect and care. It is a beautiful cycle of life, learning, and love — right in our own backyard.