Worm farm at Little School

Ettalong Public School's Little School House has established its own worm farm and veggie patch, according to P&C publicity officer Ms Rowena Newton.

The Little School House holds a playgroup every Friday.

Ms Newton said that while the children may not be ready for "big school", the pre-schoolers show that no one is too small to help look after the environment.

"The children just love the worms," said parent Ms Mia Hughes.

"We feed them our fruit peelings from morning tea and shredded paper from the office.

"A number of our playgroup families also have worm farms at home.

"Every little bit we can do for the environment helps make a difference."

Ms Hughes said pre-schooler Amelia, aged four, might love pink and dressing up but she also loves the worms and doesn't mind getting her hands dirty.

"The worms are wiggly. They wiggle on my hand and eat people food," Amelia said.

Families from the school have helped Amelia's family to set up their own worm farm at home and Amelia has since introduced big brother Jonathon, aged six, to worm farming.

"The veggie patch is in its early stages still but, come spring, we are looking forward to a lovely garden salad, all grown on school grounds," Ms Hughes said.

"We've used straw to make a little path for the children to walk through so they can really get up close to the plants."

The playgroup is held every Friday from 9.15am to 11am and focuses on the four to five age group starting school, although younger children also attend.

Little School House also provides facilities for volunteers at the school with young children at other times.

"The playgroup helps the children feel more comfortable in the school setting, easing the transition from pre-school to Big School," Little Schoolhouse coordinator Ms Cara Phillips said.

"They also like going to school just like their older brothers and sisters."

Press release, 11 Jun 2010 Rowena Newton, Ettalong Public School