There were exciting learning opportunities at every turn for children at West Downs Day Nursery in Winchester as they received a special visit from the ZooLab and its animals.
At the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Romsey Road, youngsters were delighted to get up close and personal with an array of creatures, including a giant African snail, snake, giant millipede and a frog, all whilst learning facts from expert handlers.
As part of the experience, children were able to stroke the creatures and feel their textures, before learning about their basic needs and care routines, including diet and habitat, as well as copying the animal movements in an activity designed to develop gross motor skills.
West Downs Deputy Manager, Danni Markwick explained;
“Experiences like this are incredibly valuable for our children. Meeting the ZooLab animals gave them a wonderful opportunity to learn in a fun, hands-on way, sparking curiosity and helping them understand more about habitats, care and respect for living creatures.”
West Downs are also the proud holders of a prestigious Green Flag with Distinction from Eco-Schools, which was awarded for exceptional environmental and conservation efforts, with activities including garden insect observations and creating habitats for garden visitors.
