Sustainability and Environmentally Friendly Practices

Looking after the world around us has never been more important than it is today. We believe it is essential for us, as early years educators, to take positive actions now so that the Wildlings community develops their awareness and understanding of the effects their actions have on the environment in which we live and play each day. We encourage both our children and staff to respect the natural world, take responsibility for their actions, and aim to instil a sense of duty and care for the world in which we live so that future generations have a healthy world to grow up in.

"If children grow up not knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it, and if they don’t understand it, they won’t protect it, and if they don’t protect it, who will?"

Sir David Attenborough

Connecting children with nature and the outdoors

Whether in our hall or woods setting we enjoy spending time outdoors and connecting with nature is essential for the development of the children within our care. At our hall setting we have a well equipped outdoor area and as well as this we make regular visits to the local park and work on our community garden area where children a are taught about the environment, how plants grow, and the importance of taking care of the earth. This helps children develop a sense of responsibility for the planet and a love for nature. We encourage a sense of awe and wonder for the natural world believing that we need children to grow up knowing about nature and appreciating it in order to understand and protect it. Therefore, while being respectful and considerate in our approach, we believe the natural world and the creatures that live in it should be closely observed and carefully handled to foster a future generation of custodians.

Teaching children environmental responsibility

Early Years settings play an important role in shaping the development of young children. By incorporating environmentally friendly practices into our everyday routine, we set a positive example for children and teach them how to be environmentally responsible. When children see sustainability in action, it helps them understand the importance of taking care of the planet and empowers them to make a positive impact. We respect our neighbours and aim to make the community in which we live a better place. We have created a community garden at our hall site which is tended to by the children, and take the children out locally for litter picks. We have forged strong links with The Grith Pioneers who are custodians of Shining Cliff woods and supports them to maintain and protect the woodland. We have recently worked with them to purchase 8 acres of unused farmland adjacent to the woods that we are going to re-wild and use for our sessions. See link for more details https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c75l2py2v4vo.

Reducing waste and embracing recycling

We are mindful of the materials we use and the waste we produce aim to reduce this. By implementing sustainable practices like recycling, composting, and reducing the use of single-use plastic, we have significantly reduced the amount of waste we produce. We recycle our waste, compost our food, and grow our own where possible to help with this. Much of our furniture and our resources are recycled, repurposed and reused materials wherever possible.

Cultivating sustainable habits from a young age

By encouraging sustainable habits in children from a young age, we can help them become environmentally conscious individuals. Simple practices like using reusable resources, and recycling can become second nature to children when they are taught from an early age. These habits can then be carried with them throughout their lives, making a positive impact on the planet.

Eco-Friendly Practices
We make sure to act as role models for children, showing them how to look after the environment, teaching them about the living world, and fostering their love for nature.

Reusing recyclable materials
Encouraging parents to bring in recycled materials for art and creative activities
Encouraging parents to walk to nursery at least once a month if possible
Provision of recycling bins in the nursery for children to recycle materials
Considering our carbon footprint when purchasing materials
Turning off equipment and lights when not in use
Composting food waste
Using rainwater butts for watering outdoor plants or allotment spaces
Using food that we have grown to produce nutritious meals
Encouraging our team, children, and families to adopt a Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle attitude through, information sharing, training and collaboration

Sustainability and Environmentally Friendly Practices

"If children grow up not knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it, and if they don’t understand it, they won’t protect it, and if they don’t protect it, who will?" Sir David Attenborough

Connecting children with nature and the outdoors

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Teaching children environmental responsibility

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Reducing waste and embracing recycling

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Cultivating sustainable habits from a young age

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Eco-Friendly Practices We make sure to act as role models for children, showing them how to look after the environment, teaching them about the living world, and fostering their love for nature.

Some of our eco-friendly practices include:

Reusing recyclable materials

Encouraging parents to bring in recycled materials for art and creative activities

Encouraging parents to walk to nursery at least once a month if possible

Provision of recycling bins in the nursery for children to recycle materials

Considering our carbon footprint when purchasing materials

Turning off equipment and lights when not in use

Composting food waste

Using rainwater butts for watering outdoor plants or allotment spaces

Using food that we have grown to produce nutritious meals

Encouraging our team, children, and families to adopt a Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle attitude through, information sharing, training and collaboration

"If children grow up not knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it, and if they don’t understand it, they won’t protect it, and if they don’t protect it, who will?"

Sir David Attenborough

Eco-Friendly Practices
We make sure to act as role models for children, showing them how to look after the environment, teaching them about the living world, and fostering their love for nature.