Nurturing Sustainability: Il-Perla Kindergarten Awarded in Let’s Talk Farming Programme

Children at Il-Perla Kindergarten have proven that even the youngest minds can make a big impact. Last scholastic year, the school proudly secured 2nd place in the national Let’s Talk Farming Programme, an initiative led by the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights (MAFA) in collaboration with the Ministry for Education, Sports, Youths, Research and Innovation (MEYR). 

The programme encourages children to discover where food comes from, how it is grown, and why caring for the environment matters - all through hands-on, age-appropriate experiences. 

At Il-Perla, learning came alive through a series of engaging projects: children planted seeds and seedlings, visited local farms, explored imaginative play in a make-believe market, and even extended their learning to home activities such as grocery shopping and meal preparation with their families. These experiences offered children a tangible understanding of how food moves from field to fork, while naturally incorporating literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills. 

The impact went beyond the classroom. One child who was once hesitant to try new foods began exploring and enjoying a wider variety of ingredients. Another started connecting his favourite fruits to their source, proudly identifying the strawberries he picked at his grandparents’ home as locally grown. 

Il-Perla’s integrated and play-based approach to learning impressed the programme’s evaluators, who commended "the range of activities and the way agri-food activities were integrated into the Kinder curriculum."

“At Il-Perla, we believe that children learn best through real experiences that spark curiosity and wonder,” said Ms Abigail Church, Manager of Child Educare Services. “Projects like Let’s Talk Farming help children develop environmental awareness, responsibility, and respect for the world around them, values we nurture daily through our Eco-Schools and sustainability initiatives.”

The Let’s Talk Farming project is one of several initiatives that reflect Il-Perla’s commitment to high-quality, holistic education. The School and Childcare Centres, actively participate in Eco-Schools Malta, encouraging recycling, reducing food waste, and connecting children to nature through gardening and outdoor exploration.

By fostering curiosity, creativity, and care for the environment, Il-Perla Kindergarten continues to inspire a generation of young learners to grow into mindful, responsible citizens. 

Enrolment for the next intake will open soon. Parents interested in joining a nurturing, play-rich environment that values sustainability and lifelong learning are encouraged to reach out to Il-Perla Kindergarten for more information.