Sustainable Practices in Childcare

What Do We mean by Sustainable Practices in Childcare?

 

Sustainable practices are those activities which meet the needs of the present without harming the environment or infringing on the needs of future generations. It’s about living within the means of the natural environment to support life.

 

The environment is a critical element of our Morningside Childcare Centre. It impacts all seven areas of the National Quality Standards (NQS). It also contributes to each of the five learning outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

 

The NQS directs us to teach children environmental sustainability by showing them how to be sustainable and explaining why it’s important.

How Does Puss In Boots Approach Sustainable Practices in Childcare?

 

At Puss In Boots, our values seek to create hope and wonder in our children by encouraging awareness and respect for the natural environment. Our goal is to pass on to future generations an environmental duty of care and a love for nature and the environment.

 

We recognise sustainable practices in childcare involve environmental sustainability within our service operations. These practices also extend to our everyday room routines and learning program activities. There are many opportunities for us to teach about:

 

• Reducing waste and minimising consumption.
• Protecting wildlife and conserving natural habitats.
• Meeting our needs while thinking about our impact on others and future generations.

 

Even in our nurseries, there are everyday moments where we introduce children to sensory experiences that encourage a love for nature. They may learn through song or rhyme as our educators verbalise what they are doing. Children over three can begin to reason why practices are needed and to understand the impact that their actions have on the planet.

 

 

 

Our Children Are Our Future and Will Be the Caretakers of Our Environment

 

Sustainable practices are embedded in the children’s daily routine and in their day-to-day activities. These include:

 

• Using recyclable materials where possible.
• Encouraging children to turn the water off when they have washed their hands.
• Encouraging children to recycle paper and rubbish within their rooms, at home and when in the wider community.
• Talking with the children about electricity and encouraging them to turn off lights.
• Educating children in the natural decomposition cycle through exposure and participation in worm farms and composting food scraps.
• Educating children and having them participate in ‘garden to plate’ activities i.e. seed sprouting, weeding, vegetable gardens, cooking amongst other activities.
• Educating children in how to care for pets.
• Educating children on caring for plants and our waterways i.e. recycling water etc.

 

 

Though Puss In Boots has group goals to develop sustainable practices in childcare, we endeavor to work with our community to deliver local programs. We want our children to develop a love for the environment and nature through play-based learning and active participation.

 

By making choices that improve our environment our educators are role models for environmental sustainability. We can show our children how to be environmentally conscious, while also developing their understanding of why we need sustainable practices.