Birkenhead
New Ferry
Environment Sustainability Policy
At Winston’s Place Day Nursery, we wish to support children to learn about sustainable practices and to foster respect and care for living and non-living environments, in line with the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy and the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
The EYFS Statutory Framework states: “understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community”.
We recognise that early childhood is a crucial time to develop positive attitudes, values and behaviours towards the environment. We provide opportunities for children to develop a broad knowledge and understanding of the importance of nature, sustainability and the causes and impact of climate change through their learned and lived experiences.
The EYFS also states: “children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs” (EYFS Statutory Framework).
Children are supported to develop positive attitudes and values about sustainable practices by exploring solutions to environmental issues, learning about the world around them and how to protect it, and observing adults consistently role modelling positive, responsible and sustainable behaviours.
EYFS highlights the importance of active learning: “children learn and develop through playing and exploring” (Characteristics of Effective Learning).
Curriculum Approach to Environmental Sustainability
We promote a holistic, open-ended curriculum which explores ideas and practices for environmental sustainability and helps children understand the interdependence between people and the environment. This is achieved by:
• Helping children to spend time in nature, and explore it through art and play
• Supporting the environment by learning how to grow and nurture plants in the garden and discovering all about the food cycle.
• Helping children to learn about water conservation and waste reduction through play-based activities and adult interactions.
• Learning about plants they see in the local area.
• Encouraging parents and children to regularly walk to nursery to raise the awareness of caring for the planet.
• Encouraging children to become actively involved in the improvement of their local environment, such as by developing a recycling area and encouraging children to share a recycling ethos at home
• Embedding sustainability themes across all areas of learning, including communication and language, physical development and understanding the world
All activities are planned to be age-appropriate, meaningful and linked to children’s interests, supporting the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning.
Sustainable Practice within Nursery Operations
As a nursery we will embed sustainability into all aspects of the operations including:
• Recycling materials for art and creative activities and encouraging parents to bring in their recycling materials for the same use.
• Considering our carbon footprint when purchasing materials
• Shopping local where possible
• Turning off equipment and lights when not in use
• Not leaving any equipment on standby
• Unplugging all equipment at the end of its use (e.g. chargers)
• Using energy saving wash cycles on the washing machine
• Hanging washing out to dry and/or using clothes maidens rather than tumble dryers where possible
• Composting food waste
• Incorporating water-wise strategies such as ensuring taps are turned off and leaks fixed
• Recycling water from the water play to water plants outside
Staff Role and Modelling
Staff are expected to model sustainable behaviours consistently and support children to understand why these actions are important. The EYFS reinforces the importance of adult interaction in learning: “children learn and develop through playing and exploring” (EYFS Statutory Framework, DfE). Staff therefore play a key role in demonstrating everyday sustainability practices and actively explaining and reinforcing environmental awareness during daily routines and play.
Partnership with Parents and Carers
We recognise that working together in partnership with parents, carers and the wider community is essential in promoting environmental sustainability. The EYFS states: children learn and develop well in enabling environments…and through strong partnerships between practitioners and parents and/or carers” (EYFS Statutory Framework). By sharing ideas, information and good practice, we aim to create a consistent approach between home and nursery that supports children’s understanding and care for the environment.
We will also share sustainability initiatives throughout newsletters, displays and parent engagement activities to strengthen home learning links.
We will also share sustainability initiatives through newsletters, displays and parent engagement activities to strengthen home learning links.
Our sustainability leads are responsible for promoting sustainable practice across the nursery, supporting staff, and encouraging ongoing development in this area.
They will also monitor progress, identify improvements, and ensure sustainability practices are embedded consistently across all rooms and operations.
Our sustainability leads are Erin Epton (Birkenhead) and Amy Johnson (New Ferry).