Environmental Sustainability Plan

Our Vision

We believe children thrive when they grow up with respect for the natural world. Our sustainability plan is about creating a setting where children learn to care for the environment through daily experiences, while our team models eco-friendly practices.

Key Areas of Focus

1.      Energy and Resources

• Reduce electricity by switching to LED lighting and ensuring lights/applications are off when not in use.

• Introduce smart meters to monitor usage.

• Use natural light and ventilation where possible.

• Introduce water butts in each setting's garden to collect rain water.

2.      Waste Reduction

• Set up recycling stations for paper, plastics and food waste.

• Move toward digital newsletters and parent communication to cut paper use.

• Reuse and upcycle resources for play (e.g. cardboard boxes, fabric scraps).

3.      Food and Catering

• Prioritise seasonal, locally sourced produce.

• Reduce single use plastics (swap cling film for reusable tubs, compostable alternatives).

• Teach children about healthy, sustainable food through gardening and cooking activities.

4.      Learning and Play

• Outdoor learning in all weathers- building resilience and love for nature.

• Nature walks, bug hunts, planting and watering as part of daily routine.

• Real-life sustainability issues are embedded in our curriculum (gardening knowledge and skills, weather knowledge, recycling games, eco stories etc).

5.      Procurement and Partnerships

• Choose suppliers with eco policies.

• Partner with local farms, garden centres or community projects

• Bulk order consumables to cut packaging waste.

6.      Travel and Community

• Promote walking, cycling, and car shares for families where possible.

• Encourage staff to use sustainable transport options.

• Take part in local eco-initiatives like litter picks or tree planting.

 Children’s Involvement

• We see children as active participants. Through play and routines, they will:

• Sort recycling and compost.

• Care for plants in the pre-school garden.

• Take pare in eco-themed projects.

Communicating with Parents

We will keep families informed and involved by:

• Sharing tips in our half termly newsletters (e.g. lunchbox, eco activities at home).

• Inviting parents to gardening days or sustainability projects.

• Displaying our eco-charter in the entrance.

Measuring our Progress

• Half termly staff check-ins on energy use, waste levels and recycling habits.

• Parent feedback on sustainability efforts.

• Annual review of targets and new ideas with the whole team

Our Long-Term Goals

• Achieve recognition such as Eco-Schools Green Flag Award.

• Move towards being a single-use plastic free setting.

• Build Strong partnerships with local green initiatives.

 This plan isn’t just about being eco-friendly. It's teaching children that small everyday actions make a BIG difference and helping them grow up with respect for the world around them.