Children at Guinea Lane Nursery in Bath enjoyed a very special visit from ZooLab, giving them the chance to meet a range of fascinating creatures while learning more about the natural world.
The interactive animal encounter encouraged the children to ask questions, make observations and explore using their senses.
ZooLab delivers hands-on animal experiences designed to inspire curiosity and support learning. During the visit, a ZooLab ranger introduced the children to a Giant African land snail, cockroach, tarantula, millipede and snake, sharing interesting facts about each animal along the way.
The children listened carefully throughout the session and were encouraged to stay calm and quiet so as not to frighten the animals. They showed great enthusiasm, asking thoughtful questions including, “How many legs does a millipede have?” Everyone was amazed to learn that some millipedes can have around 200 legs.
The experience also gave the children the chance to use descriptive language as they explored the animals. They described the snail’s shell as “bumpy”, noticed that the tarantula’s legs looked “furry” and discovered that the snake was not slimy as many had expected, but smooth to touch.
Some children chose to watch from a distance, while others confidently touched or even held some of the animals.
The visit supported areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage, helping children to develop communication and language skills, build confidence, learn about the world around them and develop curiosity and respect for living things.
Nursery manager Stella Woodward said, “At Guinea Lane Nursery, we love creating memorable learning experiences, and ZooLab provided a fantastic opportunity for children to explore, discover and develop their understanding of the world around them.”
Staff thanked ZooLab for providing such an engaging and memorable experience, giving the children the chance to discover that some of the world’s most unusual creatures are not so scary after all.
