The Zookeeper
Career awareness begins in early childhood as children observe and role-play the work of adults around them. Understanding that people work in zoos to care for animals builds appreciation for both careers and animal welfare. Pretend play allows children to try on different roles and develop empathy.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS At the Zoo
- Learning area: Understanding the World
- Level: EYFS 3-4, Reception
Objectives
- Develop awareness of careers that correspond to working in a zoo
- Engage in pretend play to develop understanding about animal care careers
- Communicate effectively using age-appropriate vocabulary to describe at least one type of zoo career
Materials
- "Who Works at the Zoo?" written by Alyse Sweeney
- "If I Ran the Zoo" written by Dr. Seuss
- "Jungle Jack Hanna's What Zoo-Keepers Do" written by Jack Hanna
- Pretend play supplies and dress-up clothing
- Toy zoo animals and stuffed animals
- Props: clipboards, toy stethoscopes, feeding bowls
Instructions
Begin your session by explaining that today you will learn about the people who work at the zoo. Introduce your selected books one at a time, taking care to make each reading engaging and interactive. Do not wait until the end of each book to discuss. Pause at each page to discuss interesting facts, share illustrations, and ask questions that build comprehension.
As you read about different zoo careers, help children understand what each person does. Zookeepers feed the animals and clean their habitats. Veterinarians keep animals healthy and help them when they are sick. Zoo educators teach visitors about animals. Zoo directors plan and manage everything that happens at the zoo.
After exploring the books together, set up a dramatic play area as a zoo workplace. Provide props that support various career roles: clipboards for taking notes about animal health, toy stethoscopes for the veterinarian role, bowls and buckets for feeding time, and dress-up clothes that suggest different workers.
Invite children to choose which zoo worker they would like to pretend to be. Some might prefer to be the animals rather than the workers, which is equally valuable. Circulate among children as they play, asking questions that extend their thinking: "What will you feed the giraffe today, zookeeper?" or "Doctor, is this penguin feeling well?"
Educator tip
Consider inviting a local zookeeper or animal care professional to visit your classroom, either in person or through a video call. Real-world connections strengthen learning and inspire children's imagination during subsequent play.
Assessment
Observe and note: ability to follow two-step instructions, use of new vocabulary in context, early problem-solving strategies, and sustained shared thinking episodes. Assess against Development Matters age-band expectations. Observe each child's ability to listen and comprehend information being read and discussed. Note their active participation and vocabulary use during pretend playtime.