Keeper Kids: Early Learning Matters Week
Celebrate Early Learning Matters Week at Melbourne Zoo
Join the Keeper Kids team at Melbourne Zoo as we showcase Early Childhood Australia’s Early Learning Matters Week. This special week aims to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of early learning in shaping the development and well-being of children.
Free Nature Play & Storytime
Come enjoy Nature Play and Storytime programs during Early Learning Matters Week, or any other weekday during the school term.
Zoo Playgroup (Ages 2–5)
Looking for a deeper connection? Exclusive to Zoo Members, Zoo Playgroup is an 8-week, nature-inspired, play-based program designed for children aged 2–5 and their caregivers. The program supports children's development and connection with their natural world through experiences like:
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Storytelling
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Sensory play
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Songs
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Hands-on nature crafts
Meet our team
Keeper Kids is powered by a dedicated team of qualified Early Childhood Educators who specialise in nature-play-based learning. In recognition of their incredible work inspiring and engaging young children in a love of nature, the team won the 2024 Environmental Educator of the Year.
The Keeper Kids team also offer high-quality programs aligned with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF), specifically designed for children aged 0–5 years during the school term.
Why Nature Play Matters
A research project conducted earlier this year highlighted the powerful impact of our Zoo Playgroup program.
Families who participated experienced:
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A significant increase in children’s interaction with nature
- Meaningful shifts in adult confidence to help their children connect with the natural world
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Increased knowledge of animals and their habitats, alongside a growing respect and care for wildlife (including learning to approach animals with gentleness)
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Enhanced socialisation skills, boosted confidence in group settings, and a greater willingness to embrace messy, tactile play
As stated by Early Childhood Australia: “While we are shining a spotlight on early learning for a week, Early Learning Matters every single day of the year. Early learning environments provide fertile ground for nurturing this essential trait, empowering children to explore, experiment, and express themselves with assurance. Early learning not only equips children with foundational skills and knowledge but also in stills in them the confidence to embrace learning, take risks, and navigate the world with a sense of assurance and optimism." - Early Learning Matters - Early Learning Matters