Schools and Early Years

Our creature encounters aim to educate children on how to interact gently and respectfully with animals, while they learn all about each creature's special talents. Two Creature Teachers come along to each school and early years setting so each child gets hands on with the animals that are visiting.

Please bear in mind we travel up to 45 mins from our base in Bournemouth for a one hour session, or up to an hour for back to back class visits. please check that you are in our catchment before getting in touch.

‘I just wanted to thank you so much for such a wonderful experience. The children have talked about nothing but the creatures all day, as have the staff. We were so impressed by your organisation and knowledge and how engaging and fun you made it for the children. I was so touched by the effort you put in for certain children that you had spotted who would benefit from a special experience and also for those who were a little unsure. Thank you again for such a wonderful experience.'  

Covid-19 update

Our Covid-19 safe working protocols for visits are in place, which will work in tandem with your schools protective measures to ensure that hands on animal encounters are still safe and accessible during the Pandemic. We are keeping up to date with government guidance, as well as guidance from various animal related bodies such as DEFRA, APHA, BIAZA and our local licensing authority with respect to operating safely. We use Lateral Flow tests regularly and all staff are fully vaccinated.

We will email you our risk assessments and safe working procedures when you get in touch to book a visit from the creatures.

Preschool Encounters

Our Early Years creature encounters are designed to engage, stimulate and educate our younger audiences.  Our one on one approach with each child encourages them to interact with each animal at their own pace, building their confidence throughout the encounter, as they get hands on and up close to a variety of different animals.   

A 45 minute long encounter includes creepy crawly, reptile, furry and feathery animals, the rat obstacle course, with a barn owl flight to every child. These suit smaller settings with approx 15 children or less. This costs £120.

A 60 minute long encounter includes creepy crawlies, reptiles, furry animals, the rat obstacle course and a barn owl flight to every child and costs £140. This is for larger settings, with with up to 30 children in the session.

If you have a particular topic, the encounter can be delivered to reflect that.

Click HERE to see who's on the creature team or HERE for frequently asked questions.

Please note a fuel charge will also be applied. To discuss your encounter or for further information please call us on 07429 867013 or Email thecreatureteachers@yahoo.co.uk

School Creature Encounters

Lisa has a degree in Zoology, Masters in Animal Behaviour and worked for several years as an education officer and animal presenter at Colchester Zoo, Fota Wildlife Park and Blackpool Zoo, before deciding to start The Creature Teachers in 2010. Learning about the natural world and sharing that information is what a visit from The Creature Teachers is about!

Our National Curriculum linked encounters are designed to meet your Keystage learning objectives. Our inclusive, one on one approach encourages each child to interact with each animal, supporting them in getting the most from the creature encounter.

Our topic list is below, but if you have a particular topic you would like us to cover, get in touch and we can discuss an encounter that best suits your requirements.  All encounters will include hands on opportunities for every child with creepy crawlies, reptiles, mammals and birds so two Creature Teachers come along.

Predator & Prey:  A teeth and diet themed encounter that investigates the omnivores, carnivores and herbivores, and looks at how their diet influences their teeth.

Worlds Apart:  A habitat/adaptations themed encounter that looks at how different animals are built to survive in their environment.

Minibeasts:  Not all creepy crawlies are the same and this encounter introduces several different types of minibeast, demonstrating the key differences between each one.  This encounter features creepy crawlies only.

Hot or Cold:  A classification themed encounter.  An encounter that answers questions such as: what makes a creepy crawly a creepy crawly, and what makes it different to a reptile? What makes a bird different to all other animals, and what do they have in common with furry animals?

Special Senses:  Animals sense their surroundings differently to us.  This encounter covers some of the special senses that exist in the animal world that help them to survive.

Nocturnal Life:  An encounter that investigates why certain animals only come out at night and what special features help them to survive in this dark world?

Colourful World:  Introducing animals that use colour, pattern and shape in very special ways in their habitats.

Life:  A lifecycles themed encounter that covers the difference between living and non living things, and examines some of the different life cycles seen in nature.

Living on the Edge:  Human activities effect the world around us, and the animals that share it with us. This encounter looks at what we can do to make a difference every day.

Workshops

Creature Workshops are designed for approx. 30 handlers. Everyone in the group will get hands on with animals in these encounters.  Creature Workshops include animal handling, examining bio-facts and other resources, and also include topic focused tasks and task sheets for children to work on during the session. 

Prices

A 1 hour Creature Workshop costs £140.  

You receive £5 off your Third & fourth when you book multiple classes for the same visit.

Please note there is a travel charge if you are outside the BCP area eg £10 for 10 miles, £20 for 20 miles etc.

Meet the creature team HERE or check frequently asked questions HERE.

For further information contact us on 07429 867013 or Email thecreatureteachers@yahoo.co.uk