Tots and toddlers from Mount First Steps are doing their bit to help make a difference for Bay of Plenty oceans.

A total of 13 little helpers aged between three and four years old, and their teachers, hit Mount shorelines on Friday armed with gloves and reusable bags in an effort to clean up and support World Oceans Day.

The day is focused on preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean.

Mount First Steps teacher Tabitha Bielby says her students have been immersed in learning all about the ocean and the creatures it houses, for the past two months.

'We decided to visit our local beach to help clean up rubbish, not only to protect sea creatures, but also to do our bit to help our local beach.”

Tabitha says the cleanup is a first for the kindergarten.

'But we're hoping it will become a regular yearly event.

'It's great listening to some of the dialogues and discussions the children are having already with each other and with their whanau.”

At the cleanup a number of items were found by the children, including straws, orange peels, and even what looked to be a sea sponge.

'But we were all quite surprised at how little rubbish there was on the beach.”