Incursions
Below is a list of venues that offer special programs for pre-schools and/or playgroups. Many other venues do not have special early childhood programs, but do offer reduced entry for groups.
EXCURSIONS THAT COME TO YOU
Some of the venues described below also offer programs in your centre.
PERFORMANCES 2006
A fantastic resource of the performers who are authorised to perform in NSW government schools is the Authorised Performances for Schools Directory . You can find it at www.schools.nsw.edu.au/pfs .
TARONGA ZOO ST GEORGE ZOOMOBILE 2006
Tel: 9978 4554, Fax: 9978 4508, email: stgzoomobile@zoo.nsw.gov.au , web: www.zoo.nsw.gov.au
Available: Daily excluding Mondays. Bookings essential. Sessions 1 hr (approx.)
Cost: $4.40 per person (incl GST) for group size of 51 and over, with a minimum charge of $220, if the group size is less than 50. (current as of 1/12/2006)
The St George Zoomobile is a mobile zoo which usually brings 6 - 7 native animals to your centre. Presentations are fun-filled, hands-on and interactive. Animals include a possum, echidna, bird, frog, lizard, snake, leaf insect, turtle and even a baby crocodile. During the presentation the children learn about these animals and how to care for them and their environment.
TRAVELBUGS MOBILE MINI-BEASTS 2006
Tel: 4787-6362, Fax: 9899-6775, email: info@mini-beasts.com , web: www.mini-beasts.com
Available: Daily, bookings essential. Workshops run for approx. 1hour
Cost: $4.50 within Sydney Metropolitan area (Minimum 60 students - negotiable), $5.50-$7 outside Sydney Metropolitan area (Minimum 100 students - negotiable).
Workshop presenter and Entomologist, Jacqui Love has been studying and working with mini-beasts (invertebrates) for over 15 years and was a keeper at Taronga Zoo for 10 years. Jacqui introduces students to her diverse range of LIVE mini-beasts, and highlights their special adaptations, intricate roles in food chains, food webs and ecology. Children are given an exciting 'hands-on' experience with a diverse group of live harmless creatures such as giant stick insects, cockroaches, preying mantis, spiders, scorpions, millipedes and more, as well as a large range of preserved specimens and biofacts. Parents invited to attend free. (current as of 1/12/2006)
EXCURSIONS IN AND AROUND SYDNEY
AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM 2005
6 College St, Sydney.
Tel: 9320 6000 (general inquiries), 9320 6163 (group bookings), fax: 9320 6072
web: www.amonline.net.au .
Open: 9.30am - 5pm daily (groups Mon - Fri), bookings essential.
Cost: Self guided visits / Kids Island $3, general entry and a session with an Education Officer or Guide $5.20, adults free (1 per 4 children), additional adults: $8. Some temporary exhibitions have a higher charge.
Museum exhibits include 'Birds and Insects', 'More than Dinosaurs', 'Skeletons' and a special practical exhibit for 0 - 5 year olds, 'Kids Island'. Pre-schools can book a session in the animal or Aboriginal Studies hands-on rooms. (current as of 1/12/2006)
cnr Broughton St and Moore Oxley Bypass, Campbelltown (access via King St)
Tel: (02) 4645 4376, fax: (02) 4645 4681
Open: 10am - 12noon Mon - Fri for this age group but this is flexible, bookings essential
Cost: $3.20 per child
Recommended maximim number is 14 children and a maximum of 30 children.
The Early Childhood Road Safety Awareness Program promotes road safety through song, movement, chanting and practical activities. These include learning safe behaviours as passengers and pedestrians, reinforcing safe play areas and the children are familiarised with different components of the road. Safe cycling may be included by prior arrangement.
CENTENNIAL PARKLANDS 2006
Oxford St, Centennial Park
Tel: 9339 6641 or 9339 6645, fax: 9380 5541, email: info@cp.nsw.gov.au , web: www.cp.nsw.gov.au
Office hours: 8.30 am – 5.00 pm, Mon - Fri, bookings essential.
Cost: $7 per child for excursions; $140 for a Ranger visit.
The early childhood education program includes multi-sensory experiences for 2 -5 year olds, held at Centennial Park or in your centre. Activities include sensory walks, dipnetting, environmental activities, stories and crafts.
COASTAL ENVIRONMENT CENTRE 2005
Lake Park Road, North Narrabeen 2101
Tel: 9970 6905, fax: 9970 6907, email: pittcec@intercoast.com.au
Open: Mon - Fri, 9am - 5 pm
Reference Library: Sunday 10am - 2pm
Age: 3 - 5 year olds. Pre-schools, playgroups, daycare and kindergarten groups.
The Coastal Environment Centre's 'Where the Land Meets the Sea' is an environmental education program designed specifically for pre-school children. It focuses on children's sensory experiences of the sights, sounds and feel of elements of coastal life. The Pre-school program is offered Monday to Friday on request and bookings are essential. You can visit the Centre on the beautiful foreshores of Narrabeen Lagoon and incorporate our program into your day, or we can come to you for a one hour program at a cost of $6 per child. Activities can include: sea creature feely bags, interactive seashore story, marine monsters and a close look at sea plants and animals.
KU-RING-GAI WILDFLOWER GARDEN, BUSHLAND EDUCATION CENTRE 2006
420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives.
Tel: 9440 8552, fax: 9440 0439.
Open: Mon - Fri, bookings essential.
Age range: 2 - 5 years, suitable for pre-schools and playgroups
Cost: $5 per child, teachers free, $3 accompanying parents.
The 'Nature for the Very Young' program can be held at the Garden or at your centre. Contact time is 1 hour and the program can be developed to run over 3 weeks. Topics include 'Aussie Animals', 'Aussie Plants' and 'Aboriginal Ways'. Games, craft and stories are included. Other topics and themes are available and the program can be tailored to meet your needs.
1 Museum Dr. off Castleragh Rd, Penrith
Tel: (02) 4731 3000, fax: (02) 4731 2983, email: mail@museumoffire.com.au , web: www.museumoffire.com.au .
Open: Mon - Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm, bookings essential.
Cost: preschools: $5 per child, teachers free (1 per 4 children), additional adults $5; playgroups: children $5, adults $8, family $20 (2a, 2c)
The program is especially pitched at this age group and includes finding out about good fires and bad fires, hot things and exploring smoke alarms. The kids also get to dress up, play games and have a fire engine ride ($2.50 per person, $1.50 for groups of 15 or more). The program takes about 90 mins.
OCEANWORLD MANLY 2006
West Esplanade, Manly.
Tel: 8251 7872, fax: 9949 7950, email: education@oceanworld.com.au , web: www.oceanworld.com.au .
Open: Mon - Fri, bookings essential.
Cost: children $6.50 (playgroups: children under 3 free), pre-school teachers free (1 per 3 children), extra adults $12.95. $50 extra for an education officer to accompany your visit for groups of under 30 children. For groups of over 30 the Education Officer is provided Free of Charge. Risk Assessment information and teaching resources can be found on our website
The main aquarium has a transparent underwater tunnel for you to walk through. Here you will see fish, rays and sharks. Other exhibits include coral, tropical fish, crocodiles, snakes and monitor lizards. There are shows and presentations throughout the day including the Dangerous Australian Animals Show.
For groups that can't get to us, call and discuss our "mobile exhibit" that may be able to come to you.
THE SCIENCE CENTRE AND PLANETARIUM, WOLLONGONG 2005
Squires Way, Fairy Meadow.
Tel: (02) 4286 5000, fax: (02) 4283 6665, web: www.uow.edu.au/science_centre
Open: Daily 10am - 4pm, bookings essential.
Cost: children $6 for 90 minute visit, teachers free (1 per 5 children), additional adults $8.
Visits include time with the hands-on science exhibits, a fun science show such as 'Bubbles and Balloons' and a 'Laser Show'. Exhibitions suitable for small children include 'Changing Worlds'; 'Energy and Motion'; and 'Zap! Understanding Electricity'.
SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK 2006
Tel: 9714 7888 Fax: 9714 7822 web: www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au
Open: The park is open daily from dawn until dusk. Our Kids in the Park program runs each school holiday period and early childhood sporting programs are generally run Mon - Fri, bookings essential. Our Visitor Information Centre is open from 9am – 5pm daily with extended hours during major events.
Cost: Visit www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au or www.kidsinthepark.com.au for more information about our early childhood programs and activities.
Sydney Olympic Park runs a regular school holiday program called Kids in the Park which offers a range of activities and clinics to entertain kids of all ages during the school holidays. We also offer a number of sporting programs for children under 7 years, including Buzzy Bees , run by the Tennis Centre; and Aqua Babies, Water Babies and Learn to Swim classes run by the Aquatic Centre. You can also visit the Park to enjoy a picnic, barbeque and entertain the kids in our free kids playgrounds.