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ELC News

Sustainability in the ELC

Lyn Pewtress, Director of the ELC

 

Over the past few weeks, Mother Nature has been kind to us. The children and educators have taken advantage of this wonderful autumn weather, with some highly anticipated gardening and planting in our vegie patch. 

 

In addition, the three-year-old groups have enjoyed participating in our ‘Little Sprouts’ sustainability incursion, making cards from recycled paper and seeds.

Observing these practices has led me to reflect and revisit the importance of teaching sustainability within our program and its long-term learning benefits.

WHY SHOULD EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY?

As the need for greater sustainability becomes more apparent globally, so does the importance of embedding sustainability in children’s education. Practising sustainability empowers children to construct knowledge, explore values and develop an appreciation of the environment and its relationship to their worlds. This lays the foundations for an environmentally responsible adulthood.

CURRENT SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN OUR ELC

  • Development of a seasonal vegetable garden.
  • Maintaining worm farms and compost bins.    
  • Reusing resources and equipment: boxes, containers, tins and bottles are re-used for collections, storage, artwork and sensory play.
  • Incorporating in our program ‘recycle, reuse, reduce’ learning experiences, including recycling and compost caddy bins for mealtimes.
  • Daily practice and discussions on minimising use of paper and water usage.
  • Use of recycled fabric and other materials (eg fabric, cardboard, fake grass) in our pretend play.
  • Embracing biodiversity by maintaining and increasing plants – both indoors and outside.
  • Collecting rainwater for use in the garden, for water/sand play, and for cleaning.

Sustainability involves all of us and impacts every aspect of our daily lives. The teachings of sustainability allow us to use the principles and practices of our Early Years Curriculum to work collaboratively with students, parents, the School and the greater community to achieve positive learning outcomes for our young children’s future.

I'd like to share with you a recent 'Learning Story' about one of our student’s infectious enthusiasm to care for our environment: 

 

MILA'S MISSION: INSPIRING A CLEANER, GREENER SCHOOL

Tamara Bryan, ELC Teacher 

 

Mila, one of our ELC students, is on a mission to protect the environment. Every morning, as she walks to the ELC, she brings her trusty grabber to collect rubbish along the way. She knows that even small actions can make a big difference in keeping our world clean and safe.

Mila’s passion for the environment has spread to her Pre-Prep classmates, who are now taking action within the School. After recess and lunch, they eagerly check the playground, ensuring no rubbish is left behind. Their shared commitment to caring for the environment has sparked meaningful conversations and a growing sense of responsibility among our youngest learners.

Through Mila’s leadership, the Pre-Prep children are showing that even small hands can create big change. Their dedication to looking after our School and the planet is a wonderful reminder that sustainability starts with each of us.

 

Well done, Mila and Pre-Prep! Your efforts are truly making Kilvington a cleaner, greener place for everyone.