Early Years

Sandfield Farm is a perfect place for young children to freely explore nature whilst being secure and safe. For children who are bundles of energy the farm is a great open (fenced!) space in which to release their energy. We frequently find that quieter less confident children are stimulated by something they have seen on the farm, which is very often our wonderful dogs Nellie and Fly.

Benefits for children

Benefits

Benefits

Time spent at Sandfield Farm not only adds to the academic knowledge of the children but other benefits of a day on the farm include:

Fresh air and exercise contribute to health and mental well being
Use of appropriate behaviour in a new environment
Learning about risk management and following instructions
Experience of fresh air in the great outdoors
Physical activity to help develop co-ordination, control and movement
Animal care and confidence with animals
Looking after others in a new environment
Stimulate imagination and creativity
Vocabulary extension
Looking after others in a new environment
Speaking and listening skills with a new adult
Learn about the British countryside

Tailor made days and activities

We are very flexible and tailor the day to each visiting group. There are lots of different topics which can be dealt with on the farm, such as; plants, animals, weather, seasons, environment, and technology.

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Usually the visits are structured so that the first half of the visit comprises of adult led activities, which link in with a pre agreed topic. Then the second half of the visit takes the form of child led activities in the play wood.

We understand that some early years groups have very young children and may only wish to have a short visit to Sandfield Farm. Other groups with older children may have some children who leave at lunchtime and other children who are able to stay all day. To discuss the specific needs of your group, please contact emma@sandfieldfarm.com

FAQ

What to bring and wear:

Group Visits

Group Leaders are responsible for bringing a first aid trained member of staff, a first aid kit and any relevant medication. Farm hosts are also paediatric first aid trained and there is a first aid box in the classroom.
If applicable a snack and/or lunch boxes and a water bottle
All visitors must have either a sun hat or a winter hat
All visitors must have either a rain coat or a winter coat
If possible, visitors should have water proof trousers to keep out the wind, rain and mud.
All visitors to wear suitable footwear, preferably wellies. It is highly recommended that all visitors wear wellies even in the summer. Wellies are useful if there are summer puddles, for walking through long grass, for avoiding stinging nettle stings and during pond dipping.
It is highly recommended that children wear ‘play clothes’ to the farm and bring a spare set of clothes with them, including spare socks.
It is highly recommended that all visitors wear long sleeve tops and trousers. In the summer long sleeves and trousers reduce sun burn and stings from stingy nettles.
All visitors to bring sun cream in hot weather.
Some spare coats, hats and wellies are available on the farm, should any visitor forget to bring their own.

Birthday Party

At least two adults to attend the party. Farm hosts are paediatric first aid trained and there is a first aid box in the classroom.
Please be aware of any emergency numbers, allergies and relevant medication taken by ‘unaccompanied’ children at the party.
Please bring party food, birthday cake, candles, napkins and if applicable party bags. A cake knife and matches are available on the farm.
All visitors must have either a sun hat or a winter hat
All visitors must have either a rain coat or a winter coat
If possible, visitors should have water proof trousers to keep out the wind, rain and mud.
All visitors to wear suitable footwear, preferably wellies. It is highly recommended that all visitors wear wellies even in the summer. Wellies are useful if there are summer puddles, for walking through long grass, for avoiding stinging nettle stings and during pond dipping.
It is highly recommended that children wear ‘play clothes’ to the farm and bring a spare set of clothes with them, including spare socks.
It is highly recommended that all visitors wear long sleeve tops and trousers. In the summer long sleeves and trousers reduce sun burn and stings from stingy nettles.
All visitors to bring sun cream in hot weather.
Some spare coats, hats and wellies are available on the farm, should any visitor forget to bring their own.

Is there enough parking?

Outside the visitor room is a large car park with plenty of room for a coach. Sandfield Farm is at the end of Sandfield Lane and although it is single tracked, there are dedicated passing places.

What facilities do you have?

The large heated visitor room can comfortably accommodate a class of thirty children, with a separate seating and lunch area. For other events, up to sixty chairs can be arranged with a presentation area. Within the visitor room is a kitchen area which has a kettle, microwave, fridge and cooker.
There are three toilets, one of which is a disabled toilet with an adult sized changing table. A hoist will be available from summer 2017.
Wellie washing can be done at the hosepipe outside the visitor room and the handwashing trough can accommodate eight people at a time for a fast throughput of visitors.

What about Food and Drink?

All visitors need to bring any required food and drink. We have found that fresh air and exercise tends to increase the appetite. We don’t have domestic recycling facilities at the farm and so prefer visitors to take home their own rubbish. Drinking water is available in the kitchen area of the visitor room.

Do you have first aid?

For general group visits we expect group leaders to take responsibility for a first aider and first aid box. In the event of a birthday party, Emma is first aid trained and has a first aid box in the visitor room.

Are pets allowed?

Well behaved dogs are allowed on the farm with prior permission.

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