Pre-School Pets

[Miss Muffet]

Does your pre-school have any pets?

If yes:

What do you have?

How do the children help you to care for them?

What are the benefits?

What are the downsides?

Do the children ever get to take them home? ie during holidays or weekends?

If no:

Have you considered the benefits?

What would your ideal choice be?


Obviously allergies, cleaning and costs have to be taken into account, I still remember the pets corner in my childhood nursery, it was my favourite place. We had a rabbit, a guinea pig and a few goldfish.

If you can't have live pets in your pre-school, consider toy versions. A hutch can easily be constructed out of a sturdy cardboard box, add some shredded paper and one or 2 toy rabbits or guinea pigs. The children can still help with the 'feeding' and 'cleaning out', but at least there'd be no smelly mess!

we dont have pets unless you cound head lice, nits and occasional mice in the shed!!!!
good idea about making hutches for the toy animals, we have lots of toy animals that have pet carriers but this would extend this activity

[Ruthierhyme]

lol @ sarah's wildlife collection

We were always luck enough to have access to the primary school's pets, they had gerbils,FS class had guinea pigs and chuckling at the memory ~ our lovely Caretaker almost quit when one of the teachers decided to bring his pet rat in lol

I think they are a huge benefit to the children (and staff ) although you also have to ensure they are brought into the group responsibly with all the 'homing/illness/risk considerations taken into account !!

one of our staff members bought in her newish ouppy once, he is still cute, but was terrified of the children!
forgot about that day!!!