Group (unassisted) booking form to visit Calderglen Country Park - introduction
Packed lunches
Please note that due to the lack of space, we are unable to keep packed lunches for groups. The Courtyard Cafe at Calderglen will be happy to provide packed lunches for your group with advance ordering required.
Wet weather facility
We have a wet weather facility located adjacent to the Ornamental Gardens. Groups are more than welcome to use this but should be advised that we do not operate a booking system for use of the shelter.
Health and safety advice
Listed below are notes taken from the Health and Safety Executive's advice to teachers for school visits to open farms. Please take time to read this information before your visit.
The following guidelines have been extracted from the Health and Safety Executive Information Sheet entitles 'Avoiding ill health at open farms' (Agricultural Information Sheet No. 23) and its supplement 'Advice to teachers', both of which are available from the HSE.
Although the Children's Zoo at Calderglen is not an open farm, teachers and group leaders are requested to observe the following guidelines to ensure that their group enjoys a safe, fun visit.
Some of these guidelines are aimed more specifically at groups that are taking part in animal handling but where appropriate they apply to any group visiting the Children's Zoo or Conservatory during their visit to Calderglen. If you have any specific questions please call the country park to discuss them with an Animal Keeper prior to your visit.
Decide what the ratio to pupils to group leaders should be. As a general rule there should be one group leader to every eight children under eight years old. For older children this ratio may be higher but no less than is required to ensure the group ar adequately supervised.
Discuss with the children the rules for the visit, stressing that children must not eat or chew outside the areas in which you permit them to do so.
Make sure the children wear appropriae clothing, including sturdy outdoor shoes (not sandals) or boots if possible.
Check that cuts, grazes, etc on children are covered with a waterproof dressing.
During the visit make sure that the children :
Do not put their faces close to animals.
Again, always wash their hands thoroughly before eating, after any contact with the animals and again before leaving. Hand washing facilities are available within the Conservatory, Courtyard Cafe and in the portaloos (April to September only) at the top of the main drive.
Eat only in designated areas.
Do not eat food which has fallen on the ground.
Do not suck fingers or put hands, fingers, pens or crayons, etc in mouths.
Check that children are adequately supervised at all times and :
Are not allowed to climb on walls or animal pens.
Listen carefully and follow any instructions given by animal keepers or other park staff.
Approach and handle animals quietly and gently.
Do not chase, frighten or torment the animals.
Remember :
The children are your responsibility during the visit.
You should supervise them during the visit, in particular during hand washing to make sure that each child washes thoroughly.
Allow plenty of time before eating or leaving so that the children do not have to rush.
If a member of your group shows signs of illness (eg. sickness or diarrhoea) after a visit, advise them or their parent/guardian to visit a doctor and explain that they have recently come into close contact with animals.