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A yound students holds a pile of sticks as she's helped by a zoo staff member

Early Childhood

Werribee Zoo logo

Year levels

Early Childhood

Cost

See Plan Your Visit 

Availability

Monday to Friday (during school term)

Themes

Animal Feature, Australian Animals, Ecosystems / Habitats, Endangered Species, Families, Life cycles

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Nature’s Calling on all the senses to explore, play and learn about wildlife and the natural environment. What will you discover?

Program description

Being surrounded by nature inspires a sense of wonder, intrigue and curiosity in young children. In this program, your children will use their senses to develop their connection and understanding of nature and animals. While at Werribee Open Range Zoo, they will feel safe, secure and supported to explore and learn in the natural environment of Habitat Haven.

Children will learn:

  • About the basic needs of animals
  • How to appreciate and care for the natural environment
  • How to explore unfamiliar and unique terrain using all of their senses

Program sequence

Before your visit

Connect  

Use the activities in the Teaching Guide (below) to spark children's curiosity before their zoo visit.

During your visit

Connect and Understand

With a unique education workshop, exploring the self-guided walking trails, a guided safari bus tour or joining a keeper talk there is plenty to keep your children intrigued. This full-day, play-based experience is a unique and immersive learning experience, drawing on your children’s natural instincts to explore the world around them.

Your zoo visit will include:  Introduction (for arrivals between 9:45am – 10:00am), Zoo Teacher workshop (30 minutes), Safari Bus Tour (40 minutes) and keeper talks. Check out your Teaching Guide for other ideas of what to do at the zoo.

After your visit

Understand

Use activities in the Teaching Guide to deepen children's learning back at your early childhood service.

Act

Use the Teaching Guide to enable children to master their knowledge and skills in real-world contexts.

Program maps and itineraries

Your booking confirmation email will list your group's education workshop/s and safari bus tour time. Each workshop time has its own map and daily itinerary. Paper maps will be provided to you on the day.

Werribee Zoo - Itinerary for 10.10am Workshop Werribee Zoo – Itinerary for 10.50am Workshop Werribee Zoo - Itinerary for 11.30am Workshop Werribee Zoo - Itinerary for 12.10pm Workshop

Book your education experience

Fill out an online form to request a booking for your zoo education experience

Request zoo excursion

You will need to know the following to book your zoo excursion or online workshop:

  • Education program of your choice (if applicable)
  • Preferred date
  • School name and address
  • Contact details of organising teacher
  • Number of students/classes and their year level