At South Pine Kindergarten we approach sustainability from many different perspectives.
As the need for greater sustainability becomes more apparent globally, so does the importance of embedding sustainability in children’s programs. Sustainability at our Kindy is developing sustainable practices in small steps. There is no single thing that will make our service ‘sustainable’ overnight but we incorporate environmental education into our daily routines and practices.
At our Kindergarten we have:
- Recycling and rubbish bins for children to use
- Compost Bin used for the gardens
- The children are chosen recycle food scraps into our worm composting farm. The nutrients are used to fertilise the gardens.
- Reusable hand towels rather than paper towels in the adults’ bathroom and kitchen – and looking at ways to re-introduce hand towels in the children’s bathroom.
- A strong commitment to using natural and/or recycled materials for children’s play and for art and craft.
- Edible gardens for sharing and/or cooking produce
- Families encouraged to bring in recyclable items for children’s activities
- Families encouraged to reduce food packaging by introducing a nude food lunch box initiative
Children learning to love Nature
In our uniquely designed outdoor environment with small spaces, large fig tree, senses garden, the children are free to imagine, create games, and role play situations. In a relaxed environment free of hurry, distraction and technology children are building important connections. When children learn to love the natural environment, they are learning to care for it.
Embedded into our days at Kindy is the opportunity to wonder, explore, notice the changes occurring in our outdoor environment. Children and Educators discuss the role of the Bees, and care for the Bee Garden by planting fresh flowers and keeping them watered. Children play and interact with the native stingless beehive, and frog pond within our senses garden space that contains many native plants, fruits (lilly pilly, mandarine, blueberry, lemonade trees).
Each year the children plant fresh vegetables for sharing and cooking in the kitchen garden.
The garden and kitchen provide a real-life context for learning, which interweaves the theories and practices behind growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing fresh, seasonal foods.
When we are outside and involved in activities with fresh air and gentle sunlight such as Gardening it can have a positive effect on everyone’s well-being.
