Environment and Sustainability

Children develop positive attitudes and values by engaging in open-ended learning experiences, joining in discussions that explore solutions to the issues that we face, and watching adults around them model sustainable practices. 

Children need to 'experience an environment where they develop working theories for making sense of the natural, social, physical, and material worlds'. (Stonehouse 2006)   To do this, children need their environment to provide a range of experiences and opportunities for learning about the world from different perspectives. 

To support children in their environmental and sustainability education, educators and staff at Viewbank Early Childhood Centre will strive to:

• model appropriate behaviours and values with respect to the environment, and share in positive interactions that allow for shared experiences with each child
• foster children’s capacity to understand and respect the natural environment and interdependence between people, plants, animals and the land
• work together to learn about and promote the sustainable use of resources and to develop and implement sustainable practices within the centre
• use recycled resources, and embed energy efficiency and water conservation into daily routines and practices
• participate with children in planned experiences that engage them in appropriate sustainability practices
•  provide experiences that build a sense of responsibility for caring for the environment
• provide experiences that support children’s engagement with and respect, care and appreciation for the natural environment
• provide opportunities to increase each child’s knowledge of and respect for natural and constructed environments
• develop environmental awareness and programs as a platform for ongoing environmental education
• provide spaces that promote the development of life skills, such as growing food, waste reduction and recycling
• promote an environmental program that fosters wonder and knowledge about the natural world

Children develop an understanding of their world as they play, interact with and explore the places and spaces that have meaning for them. As they wonder, investigate, discover, challenge and influence their environments, they are learning about the interdependence of people and other living and non-living things. By caring for and learning about living things, children develop an awareness of change and growth, and recognise the intrinsic value of the natural environment and their role in sustaining it. They come to understand that they are part of a much larger world.

It is in the early childhood years that the foundations are laid for the development of environmentally responsible adults. 

Educating our children to make informed, responsible decisions towards an ecologically sustainable future will have a lasting impact on the whole community.

The Centre, in conjunction with our families and the community, will help support working towards a sustainable future by:

• promoting Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle
• recycle in the provided recycling bins throughout the rooms and centre all recyclable materials
• being ecologically aware in the office and throughout the Centre to minimise paper and printing wastage and storing documents electronically rather than as hard copies where possible
• cutting down on printing and paper wastage by emailing and using in-house screen to post general announcements and information
• working together on energy efficiency- using natural light, heater usage policy etc so it is part of our everyday practice
• using more recycled and natural resources throughout the centre
• using waste management strategies such as composting and worm farming
• planting low maintenance gardens
• avoiding the use of chemicals and toxic cleaning products where possible and using reusable cloths
• encouraging the use of hand dryers rather than paper towel to eliminate land fill
• ensuring water conservation is embedded into our daily practices and is discussed with children
• role modeling respect for the natural environment and environmental and sustainable practices

We believe that if all family members, educators, staff, children and community members can collectively embrace environmentally sustainable practices, the closer we will move towards creating a sustainable future. Small changes in our ways of thinking and making conscious decisions regarding our choices and our behaviour can and will make a difference in the long term and for the future of our children.

Sources:       

-     AuSSI-SA Education for sustainability in the early years

-     Guide to the National Quality Standard

-    “Climbing the little green steps- How to promote sustainability in early childhood services in your local area”- Gosford and Wyong Council

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