A UNIQUE nursery where children have daily visits with animals and take part in egg collecting and feeding goats has opened at a farm.

Barleylands Day Nursery and Pre-School opened at the Billericay farm on Monday after hundreds of parents attempted to sign-up for their children to attend.

The nursery aims to create “unparalleled learning experiences that combine nature and education” with children getting hands-on experience with the animals.

Youngsters will pay daily supervised visits to the resident animals and will take part in farm-based activities such as egg collecting, feeding the farm’s goats and petting animals.

After the farm announced plans to open the early years centre – for children aged between six weeks and five-years-old – more than 400 parents signed up and an active waiting list has now been launched.

The nursery officially opened to its first batch of youngsters on Monday.

Sharon Elliott, Farm Day Nurseries’ managing director, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be opening the doors to Barleylands Day Nursery and Pre-School.

“This is a truly special setting where children can immerse themselves in a farm-based learning environment, explore nature, interact with animals, and thrive in a nurturing atmosphere.

“Our fantastic relationship with Barleylands Farm allows us to offer children a unique experience, where natural learning and hands-on interaction with animals are at the heart of what we do.

“It’s a place where children can truly discover, learn, and grow.”

The new site had received more than 400 enquiries by mid-July and promised to be a “game-changer” for the town’s early childhood education.

The activities offered by the nursery aim to inspire a love for nature and promote hands-on learning.

The school’s free-flow setting affords children the choice of playing inside and outside, while it has assured parents it will have convenient drop-off and pick-up points.

Funded spaces will be available for eligible children from the age of 9 months, with options for full-day and half-day sessions.

Barleylands Nursery have confirmed an active waiting list will be launched and eager families will be able to secure a spot by visiting the website and enrolling their child.

For more information or to register, please visit here or contact the nursery at enquiries@barleylandsfarmdaynursery.co.uk