Filton Avenue Nursery School have welcomed some exciting new additions to Acorns Room, with the arrival of class pet millipedes. The nursery school’s new residents are Black Fire Millipedes (Centrobolus fulgidus), and they have quickly become a source of fascination for the children.
The children have been closely observing the millipedes, counting their legs, learning how to care for them and even giving them names. Some have also had the opportunity to gently hold them, helping to build confidence and respect for living creatures. The sense of wonder and care shown by the children has been a pleasure to see and reflects the nurturing environment within this early years setting.
Introducing class pets provides valuable opportunities to support early science learning and children’s understanding of the natural world, which is a key area of the EYFS. At the same time, caring for the millipedes helps children develop a sense of responsibility and consideration for other living things. As an added benefit, millipedes are very low maintenance, making them a suitable choice for a busy nursery school environment.
Filton Avenue Nursery School continue to offer meaningful, hands‑on experiences that support children’s curiosity, learning and development across the early years.