The appeal of this exceptional Cistercian abbey remains as enduring as ever.
Early Years (2-4)
Early Years (2-4)
In recent years there has been a cultural shift in our society that has reduced the access and use of outdoors for many young children.
A number of factors are blamed, including increased fear amongst adults in relation to children’s safety, anxieties about the threat of abduction, and technological advances leading to an overwhelming prominence of more sedentary indoor activities, such as television and computer games. However, the developmental needs of young children have remained constant and the outdoor environment continues to be essential to their health, development and well-being. Therefore, regular opportunities for sustained periods of play in a rich and stimulating outdoor environment offer a wide range of benefits to babies, toddlers and young children.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum, which covers children aged birth to the end of the Reception year, became statutory in September 2008 and places strong emphasis on the importance and value of daily outdoor experiences for children’s learning and development.
Learning outside the classroom supports the development of healthy and active lifestyles by offering children opportunities for physical activity, freedom and movement, and promoting a sense of well-being. It gives them contact with the natural world and offers them experiences that are unique to outdoors, such as direct contact with the weather and the seasons. Outdoor play also supports children’s problem-solving skills and nurtures their creativity, as well as providing rich opportunities for their developing imagination, inventiveness and resourcefulness.
And, of course, the outdoor environment offers more space than indoors and therefore is particularly important to those children who learn best through active movement. For many children, playing outdoors at their early years setting may be the only opportunity they have to play safely and freely while they learn to assess risk and develop the skills to manage new situations.
While many of these experiences will take place on-site, outdoor learning may also take place within the local community, for example a walk to the bakery, or past the building site on the way to the park. These off-site ‘expeditions’ offer both children and adults a catalyst for play and conversations. Ultimately, play and learning that flow seamlessly between indoors and outdoors make the most efficient use of resources and build on interests and enthusiasms. Forest Schools are growing in popularity across the UK and are increasingly offered as part of the early years curriculum in schools and settings.
Finally, parental involvement in children’s learning is particularly important in the early years as parents and carers are the child’s first educators. Early years settings, including children’s centres, are increasingly involving parents in developing and using their outdoor areas and in supporting other outdoor learning opportunities.
Suitable Venues
Fota Wildlife Park is a joint project between the Zoological Society of Ireland and University College Cork (UCC), an idea originally conceived in the 1970s by former Director of Dublin Zoo, Dr. Terry Murphy.
Home to a wide range of animals from across the world. These animals include many charismatic and exciting species like meerkats, lemurs and otters. The Centre has a wide collection of endangered reptiles.
Unspoilt, rolling hills – that’s what you will discover at Burton Dassett Hills. Whether you are walking, flying a kite or just sitting in your car, the magnificent views from these hills are breathtaking.
The site comprises a series of rugged hilltops affording spectacular views in all directions and Fox Covert, a small woodland with a surfaced footpath.
The Cathedral is open to visitors every day from 8.30 a.m.to 6.00 p.m. throughout the year. Entry is free but we suggest a donation of £3.00 per adult and 50p per child. Visitors are welcome to look around the Cathedral on their own. A free introductory leaflet is available in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Polish.
A focus on education is embedded in the mission statement of the cathedral and is evidenced in the warm welcome and care offered by the Education Department to all visiting groups.
The department consists of a full-time Education Officer and a team of volunteers, all of whom are CRB checked and able to work within the safeguarding policy of the Chester Diocese.
On the north side of Charlotte Square is Robert Adam's masterpiece of urban architecture, the Georgian House, with its elegant furnished interior.
There is a formal Schools Programme linked to the Curriculum for Excellence: 'People, Past Events and Societies'.
With 3,800 acres of parkland, gardens, woodlands and a lake, 20 miles of cycle routes and bike hire, plus a Discovery Centre, and a Woodland Play Park. Visit the Discovery Centre to see what children's activities they are offering during the holidays. This National Trust managed Estate offers lots to do.
The un-stately home and country estate
With peeling paintwork and overgrown courtyards, Calke Abbey tells the story of the dramatic decline of a country house estate. The house and stables are little restored, with many abandoned areas vividly portraying a period in the 20th century when numerous country houses did not survive to tell their story.
The Trust is an award winning visitor attraction and registered charity dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey. We work with many organisations and conservation groups across the world to deliver conservation programmes, education projects and to generate environmental awareness for the benefit of birds of prey and their habitats.
A Falconry centre with over 70 beautiful birds of prey, and over 30 species, including American Kestrel, Snowy Owl, Saker Falcon, Golden Eagle, Griffon Vulture and loads more! There are great opportunities to meet some of these birds at close quarters, and to take some great photos of the flying birds, without the barrier of cages or netting.
Battersea Park Children's Zoo invites you to check on the monkeys, crawl down the tunnel to see the meerkats, talk to the parrots and mynah birds, on to the farm to say hello to the goats, donkeys, pigs, emus etc. Playground which includes climbing frames,large sandpit with water toys, swings and roundabouts etc.
Linton Zoo has evolved out of our family's love, interest and concern for the wildlife of the world.
Amazon World Zoo Park has a huge range of unusual rare and exotic animals. At the last count it was somewhere in the region of 200 different species, spanning the entire animal kingdom!
We have mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, spiders, fish and amphibians. Botany is important too.
Education and Exploration
Pride of Pembrokeshire
Amazing adventures, penguin parties, toddler takeovers, cwtch corners, and zoo keeper experiences are all ways to d
Enlighten and Inspire, Educate and Energise
Come and see our variety of exotic animals.
We invite you to use our park as a living classroom, a place to educate and inspire, to increase understanding and respect for animals and the environment.
Free Daily Keeper Talks:
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12pm Elephants
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12:30pm Giraffe
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2pm Tigers
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14:30 Rhino
Be sure to check out one of our daily Aquatheatre shows and get up close to our divers as they feed the fish in our huge underwater viewing window – all in front of the sharks.
Blue Planet Aquarium is famous for its Shark collection – one of the largest in Europe!
Calderglen children's zoo opened in 1982 and is home to over 50 different species, some of which are critically endangered. Being about an acre in size, the zoo specialises in small creatures and amongst the ornamental gardens and Conservatory you'll discover meerkats, families of monkeys, noisy Kookaburras, cheeky Ring-tailed Coati, and Burrowing Owls.
The aim of Camperdown Wildlife Centre's education programme is to supply the highest standard of zoological education to visitors using every possible resource that is available to education staff.
We have a whopping 12,000 animals at the zoo from 400 different species.
About half those species are on the threatened list. We’re one of the world’s leading centres for conservation, working in the UK and worldwide to help protect animals and plants from extinction.
The UK's No. 1 Safari Park
Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, in Wiltshire, was opened in 1966 and was the first drive-through safari park outside Africa.
Your drive-through safari adventure will take you unbelievably close to creatures you’ve only dreamed about. So mind the zebras crossing, give the rhinos right of way, watch out for the wolves and beware of the meddling monkeys.
The Little Zoo With Lots To Do
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis is a unique and exciting blend of exotic wildlife and interactive hands-on displays, which take you through 3,000 million years of evolution and follows the development of life on Earth - from magic molecules to mischievous monkeys.
Animals are fascinating whatever their size, shape or behaviour and at Banham Zoo you can get a unique opportunity to see some incredible animals naturally demonstrating just how amazing they are!
The Hebridean island of Iona has a significant history and a special, spiritual atmosphere that continues to attract and inspire thousands of visitors each year.
School visits are welcome, with environmental activities led by the Mull and Iona Ranger Service. Prior booking is required.
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