Early Years Development
Our Early Years workshops motivate and stimulate young children to help
them grow and develop
The early educational development of a child is a crucial phase where they discover the world through play and hands on learning.
ZooLab workshops provide children with a rich variety of play activities and learning experiences in a safe, secure, and stimulating environment under the supervision and guidance of our expert ZooLab Rangers.
Workshops
All About Me
EYFS, KS 1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3- 7.
Our All About Me workshop is the perfect way to ‘break the ice’.
Think about it as a mini team building session for your children.
Pupils will learn about their bodies, their origins, and how we relate to other species, all through a variety of fun and creative animal handling activities. Perfect as a get-to-know-you topic for the start of a new school year or equally exciting during any other term!
Africa
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
What better way to explore Africa than on a ZooLab safari! A ZooLab Ranger will take you on foot, jeep and kayak around Africa’s varied habitats. On our travels you will learn about the fantastic large creatures found in Africa and meet some smaller creatures that call this continent home.
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Animal Olympics
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
For some it takes grit and determination to become a record breaker; and for others they’re oblivious! ZooLab’s Animal Olympics session features some of the best runners, jumpers and weightlifters on the planet! Let’s look at some of the phenomenal feats of nature that put them into the book of the best!
Animal Tracks
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
Identifying animal tracks and trails is a key skill used by naturalists and survivalists alike. Be a real nature detective as your ZooLab Ranger helps you identify a variety of animals from their tracks. You’ll also get the opportunity to meet and handle some of these animals to do some up-close investigating!
Anti-Bullying
EYFS, KS 1, 2. Early Years, First, Second Stage. Ages 3 - 11.
We visit over 10,000 schools across the UK every year and have witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of bullying. This inspired us to work directly with PSHE teachers to create a story-based workshop that explores relationships, social conflict, diversity and feelings. We examine the issue of bullying, the motivations behind that behaviour and what can be done to help people suffering from bullying.
Baby Zoo
EYFS. Early Years.
Ages 0 - 2.
ZooLab’s Baby Zoo experience is an additional half hour workshop designed to stimulate the senses and help your young ones develop. We use ZooLab animals, actions, songs/rhymes and puppetry as a powerful and unique bonding activity between parents, carers and children. This aids learning and helps language, physical, social and emotional development.
Baby Zoo Sensory
EYFS. Early Years.
Ages 0 - 2.
Sensory play is a great way to explore the world that we live in! This 45 minute session uses ZooLab animals, actions, songs/rhymes, sensory items and puppetry to enhance learning and help language, physical, social and emotional development. Baby Zoo Sensory includes 4-6 ZooLab animals. These can include a snail, tarantula, stick insect, millipede,cockroach, snake, frog/toad and a furry animal.
Caring For Living Things
EYFS, KS1; Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
This show emphasises what we need do to care for living things and explores the diverse requirements of a range of animals in terms of shelter, warmth, food, water and protection. Using active learning techniques, and building on prior knowledge this show is highly value driven in teaching respect for all living things.
Eco Investigators
EYFS, KS 1, 2. Early Years, First, Second Stage. Ages 3 - 11.
Linking to the schools 'Green Flag' initiative and global environmental concerns, Eco Investigators explores how informed personal choices as a consumer can protect animals, habitats and people all over the world. This workshop investigates issues of consumption, looks at alternatives and teaches us about recycling using practical examples from the animal and insect world.
How our Bodies Move
EYFS, KS1; Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
This show explores the anatomy of the human body giving children an understanding of the bio-mechanics that make movement possible. We discover how muscles give us facial expression, enable digestion and how the heart keeps us alive. We then compare and contrast bone structure and movement in other vertebrates and invertebrates.
Lifecycles
EYFS, KS 1, 2. Early Years, First, Second Stage. Ages 3 - 11.
Designed to complement the curriculum topics of Animals Including Humans and Living Things And Their Habitats, this workshop uses ZooLab animals
to discuss new life, growth, reproduction and ageing. There’s a particular focus on the metamorphosis of a butterfly and the various stages of its development. Some key vocabulary is introduced including ‘metamorphosis’, ‘larva’, ‘chrysalis’, ‘adult’ and ‘reproduce’.
Minibeasts
EYFS, KS 1, 2. Early Years, First, Second Stage. Ages 3 - 11.
Children get a fun introduction to invertebrates and classification. They get to question, investigate and learn about scientific discovery. This workshop answers all the big questions such as - What do minibeasts have inside them? Are there any similarities between our bodies and theirs?
Paws, Claws & Whiskers!
EYFS, KS 1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
From fully developed human beings to the tiniest insect, this workshop looks at the huge variety of weird and wonderful animals we share Planet Earth with. Together we find answers to questions such as, where do they come from? What do they have inside them? And, how do we group animals and why?
Pets and Other Animals
EYFS, KS 1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
We all love our pets! Your ZooLab Ranger explains how they care for different animals and how to recreate the conditions that they need to thrive. As well as practicalities such as food, shelter and exercise, children are reminded too of the role of emotion in caring for other living things that need our love, care and respect if they are to thrive.
Rainforest Adventurer
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
Your class will go on an action-packed adventure through the rainforest layers meeting various animals along the way. It’s all part of an approach that combines storytelling and drama to bring the rainforest to life, help children discover biodiversity and to get a first hand look at how what happens in the rainforest can affect us all.
Road Safety
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
This story based workshop joins a class of extraordinary animals as they learn all about road safety. Learn about Stop, Look, Listen and Think and the importance of finding the right place to cross the road. At the end of the workshop each participant will receive their ‘Road Safety Rat’ sticker. Of course, throughout the duration of the workshop your class will get to meet and handle a variety of wonderful ZooLab animals!
Seasonal Differences
EYFS, KS 1, 2. Early Years, First, Second Stage. Ages 3 - 11.
This workshop covers the Earth’s tilt and how this causes the seasons. We discuss the effect that they have on the plant and animal kingdom and how this changes their temperature and habitat. We address how animals adapt to the changing conditions and what we can do to prevent man-made changes in the seasons.
Senses & Textures
Early Years; First Stage KS 1. Ages 3 - 7.
Children get to explore and understand how animals use their senses within their habitats. How do animals perceive their surroundings and how well are their senses adapted to them? Children make hands-on discoveries of textures and senses in an animal handling experience that is suitable for everyone from new intake to SEN classes.
Space Race
Early Years; First Stage KS 1. Ages 3 - 7.
After being inspired by amazing animal space facts, the intrepid ZooLab team decide to have a race to space! The two teams are now in a desperate contest to reach Mars first. On each of the Spacecraft we find out which animals adaptations are best suited to space exploration! Trouble hits both spacecrafts and they soon tumble to the ground – only for us to find out that it was a product of their imagination all along!
Wriggle and Crawl Roadshow
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
The Wriggle and Crawl Roadshow is a fun, exercise based workshop designed to get young children up and active! Your children will find themselves hopping like a frog and even taking part in the Millipede Conga! Children are encouraged to act out being specific animals while at the same time gaining knowledge of basic scientific principles - all while having fun!
The Zagaro
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
Our story-based workshops are sure to engage and entertain through our Rangers acting out the story and by getting the children on their feet and moving about! The Zagaro, based on a famous children's story, takes us on a trip through the deep, dark wood. We bring this classic tale to life, adding an extra dimension and sense of excitement through our live animal interaction.
We’re Going On An Animal Hunt!
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
This story-based workshop based on a classic children’s book takes children on a fantastic animal hunt! Their ZooLab Ranger will take them through grass, a river, mud, a forest and a snowstorm before coming face to face with an array of amazing ZooLab animals! Using animals, songs and rhymes helps promote language, physical, social and emotional development.
Seasonal Workshops
Animals in Winter
EYFS, KS 1, 2. Early Years, First, Second Stage. Ages 3 -11.
This workshop looks at everything from hibernation to bird migrations and we discover how other animals and insects adapt to conditions and seek shelter. Pupils learn what they can do to help insects during the harsh winter period. We then look forward to springtime and the changes that the season brings.
Chinese New Year
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
Learn about Chinese New Year the ZooLab way! We bring some of the animals that feature on the Chinese calendar and you’ll also hear about the other ZooLab animals that didn’t make it across the river to be one of the select group. Linking to literacy skills, science and geographical knowledge, young children get to hear a story that illustrates that there is more than one way of looking at the world.
Jane's Easter Egg
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
This egg-citing Easter storybook egg-stravaganza follows Jane on a chocolate egg hunt. Along the way, she spies a series of eggs - could they be her chocolate egg prize? Perhaps they belong to some of ZooLab’s amazing animal team?
Using story, rhyme and repetition, we reinforce key messages about sharing, friendship and most importantly protecting nature.
Meg & Mog
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
A story-based active-learning workshop helps children develop independent thought processes as we follow an apprentice witch/wizard under the instruction of the famous Meg! They are in charge of magic-ing up a spread of tasty sweet treats for trick-or-treaters, however the spells don't go quite right... instead of toffee apples and chocolate frogs, exotic creatures are conjured in their place.
Morpho the Munching Millipede
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
This active-learning workshop based on a classic and much loved children’s picture book follows ‘Morpho the Munching Millipede’ as he travels through a week-long adventure, meeting a variety of exciting and awe-inspiring ZooLab animals. Through repetition, actions and participation, this workshop introduces concepts of literacy, numeracy and sharing as well as reinforcing the healthy eating.
Nocturnal Animals
KS 1, 2. Early Years, First, Second Stage. Ages 3 - 11.
This workshop gets children to think about their own eating and sleeping routines and explores how different animals operate their schedules based on their environment. We learn how they use their senses for protection and hunting and reveal how their schedules change based on safety and opportunity. You’ll also get hands-on and up-close with some ZooLab animals!
Speedy the Snail
EYFS, KS 1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
A story-based active-learning workshop for younger children lets them contribute to a story whilst acting out dialogue with movement and mime. We follow Speedy the Snail’s journey through the jungle and across a number of habitats. They also get to be up-close and hands-on with some ZooLab animals getting to compare the senses and textures and think about how different animals are adapted to different environments.
Springtime
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
A special look at life cycles for younger children! We demonstrate how our special ZooLab animals deal with the changing of the seasons and what happens in springtime. In turn, we look at how each animal reproduces and prepares for the season ahead. Where possible, our rangers will try and bring you examples of eggs and baby animals. A great way to entertain and educate children at a special time of year!
The Bee Workshop
EYFS, KS 1, 2. Early Years, First, Second Stage. Ages 3 -11.
Bees are beautiful, fascinating insects which are vital to a healthy environment. Our new workshop gives you the opportunity to get un-bee-lievably up-close with nature’s pollinating royalty! Children will learn about the importance of bees and what life in the hive is like. They will also be taught about the different types of bee and why pollination is so important to a healthy ecosystem. Please be aware that this workshops is only available in certain postcodes.
The Great ZooLab Bughunt
EYFS, KS 1, 2. Early Years, First, Second Stage. Ages 3 - 11.
We’re going on a bug hunt! This session takes children outdoors and gets their hands dirty. It’s all about the thrill of turning over a log or stone to find an exotic-looking centipede, a family of woodlice or even a frog! The session also includes an indoor section where children get to see, touch and handle some of ZooLab’s unusual minibeasts. It’s a great chance to compare creatures they have just found to other minibeasts from around the world.
The Zoo on the Broom
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
This Halloween, join ZooLab on a rhyming story adventure based on a well known children's classic! Follow our friendly witch Zog on her broomstick ride through towns, forests and bog. Along the way, her broom starts to resemble a zoo! Our helpful and kind witch offers a ride to a selection of amazing animal hitchhikers, who the children will get to meet! However - it's not all plain sailing. Will Zog’s journey end with a bump?!
Zola the Kind-hearted Elf
EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7.
Join Zola the elf on a wonderful Christmas adventure as we help her deliver presents to children all over the world. From Africa, to India and through America via Australia, we encounter a variety of fascinating creatures along the way! This is a special, festive workshop that focuses on the themes of selflessness, kindness, friendship and fun. Perfect for an end of term treat! As always, our rangers will attend in full festive costume!