Early Childhood
Nature’s Calling on all the senses to explore, play and learn about wildlife and the natural environment. What will you discover?
Program description
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
Connect
Use the activities in the Teaching Guide (below) to spark children's curiosity before their zoo 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.
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.
Program resources
Learning outcomes
Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF)
- Children will learn ways to care for the environment
- Children will be supported to work collaboratively in safe, outdoor, natural play spaces and make new discoveries about the interconnectedness of the land, plants, animals and Wurundjeri culture.
- Children will use their senses to connect with living and non-living things in the natural environment and explore how the Wurundjeri people use different tools, techniques and share Dreaming stories.
Plan your excursion
This program is an outdoor all-weather program; the students will need appropriate clothing for weather conditions. This could include a raincoat, hat and sun protection.
School groups will enter Werribee Open Range Zoo via the Main Entrance. Organising teachers please check in with our Admissions team upon arrival. More information.
Book your education experience
Fill out an online form to request a booking for your zoo education experience
Request zoo excursionYou 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