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Here are some Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that is not
answered here, or you need more information about our services, please
contact us.
GENERAL ENQUIRIES
Are you insured?
Yes - to meet all legal requirements Animal Workshops has Public Liability
Insurance for £5million. For your peace of mind all presenters are also
Police Checked. You are very welcome to ask for documentation of these if required.
Is my payment refundable if I
decide
to cancel?
Under normal circumstances the answer will unfortunately have to be "No".
However, we do understand that every incident is different and we will
always listen to you and do our best to help. For example if there is
a problem with the date we will try to offer an alternative date to suit
you.
Can I choose which animals come to
my school or party?
The welfare of our animals is paramount and due to the nature of livestock
we cannot guarantee which animals will be available on any particular day.
However, if there is an animal you would prefer we didn't bring (e.g.
spider, rat, snake) please let us know. You can tell us about this at
any time before your party or school visit.
Will it make a mess?
No - we use protective mats etc. and clean and freshen the area thoroughly before we
leave to ensure your home/school/work space is as we found it.
How long in advance do I need to
book?
To avoid disappointment please give us as much notice as possible
(preferably at least 2 months). However, you may be lucky and find we
have the date you want still available. Please remember we recommend
you contact us to check availability and make a provisional booking before
sending in your booking form.
SCHOOLS
Do you have a Risk Assessment?
Yes - you can find a copy of it
here (opens in new window - please be patient while it downloads).
What do I have to provide for a
workshop?
We provide all materials, and equipment needed for our workshops so
the only things you will need to provide are hand-washing facilities .....
and children! (Wildlife Garden workshop will also need a small area outside
to create your wildlife garden).
Can my school have a half day
workshop?
We recommend a full day workshop to maximise the length of time children
will have to interact with the animals and take part in the activity workshops.
However, if you are a small school, or are booking a workshop for a single
class we may be able to help. You may also be interested in sharing 2 x half days with another local
school. More details.
Which workshops are most suitable
for Key Stage: Foundation, KS1, KS2 etc.?
Most of our workshops can be tailored to suit the level of your children.
Please feel free to contact us about your particular requirements.
What sorts of activities can we
expect?
Every Activity Workshop is different depending on the topic and age of your
children. Some examples:
Habitats - Design and create the perfect habitat for a skunk.
Think about what the animal will need? Where would he live in the
wild? Choose the correct sort of food and bedding. Make a toy
for enrichment. Will he be happy, safe and warm? Will he get
enough exercise? Now let's put the skunk into his new environment and
see if he's happy!
Wildlife Garden - This workshop will require a small area
outside. Create the perfect place to encourage wildlife into the
school garden. Building a hedgehog Hog Log will provide shelter for
"Spike" and his friends during hibernation. Make a Toad in the Hole
home for toads. Which
other creatures can you help?
Minibeasts - Can you put the minibeasts into the correct groups?
Look at the giant insects. What have they got in common that makes
them different from other minibeasts? Put the 4 stages of the
butterfly lifecycle in the correct order. Feed the cockroaches and
make them a new home.
Working in Animal Care - Can you complete all the jobs on the
zoo keeper's "to do" list? Clean out an animal enclosure, check the
diet sheet and record the animal's food and weight. Present an Animal
Encounter. You may even need to contact the vet using the mobile
phone!
Please remember that these are examples only. Actual activities may
vary due to the nature of livestock and the age and ability of your
children. For details of other activities please contact us.
Can the whole school attend the
workshops?
The maximum number of sessions we can accommodate in a full day is 3
(session time is split equally between Animal Encounter and Activity
Workshop). There is a maximum of 1 class per session. If you
would like more than 3 classes to enjoy the Animal Workshops experience you
will need to book more than one full day. Obviously the fewer the
children the more time they will have with the animals and participating in
the activity workshops.
However, we can accommodate any number of children (max 35 at a time) during
Animal Encounters only. The length of time each group spends with the
animals will depend on the total number of children. Animal Encounters
are usually a half day visit but you may also book both morning and
afternoon sessions for the same price as a full day workshop, saving you
over £100.
Can you accommodate children with
Special Educational Needs?
Yes - we operate a "Welcome All" policy and your presenter is trained to
understand SEN requirements. Basic Makaton is available and our
Sensory Sessions are recommended for groups of children with special needs.
However, we are happy to make our Activity Workshops inclusive to those in
mainstream education and endeavour to offer differentiated activities
at all times.
PARTIES
How much space do I need to
provide?
Obviously the bigger the better! However, we can usually organise a
brilliant party in the space of a normal living room. If available you
might like to consider allocating another room for party games (in good
weather we can play these in the garden!). You will also need a
separate eating area away from where the animals will be.
Do you provide party invitations?
Yes - when your party is confirmed by email you will also receive a unique
personalised invitation which you can print out and send (or
email if you prefer) to all your guests. There are 3 styles to choose
from - POLECAT, RABBIT or SNAKE. You'll find a space to make your
choice on the printable Party Booking Form.
What is the maximum number of
guests I can invite?
There is a maximum of 15 children included in the price of a party, but please remember that this
number includes the host child and any siblings, cousins etc. who will
be present. If your venue is large enough we can accommodate up to 15
extra children at a small additional cost per child.
More details.
Can you do adult parties or
corporate functions?
Yes - by special arrangement. Please contact us to discuss your
particular requirements. You may also be interested in our Keeper
Workshops. More details.
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