Decarbonisation
We are committed to reducing carbon emissions by, for example:
- Becoming more energy efficient by using LED lightbulbs where possible and turning them off when we leave the room, closing doors where automatic lighting exists, turning off electrical points when not in use.
- We are an outdoor learning nursery. When inside we will aim to keep heating appliances to a minimum, We will continue to encourage parents and carers to dress their children in additional warm clothing and provide outdoor waterproofs. Staff will also wear warm outdoor clothing when appropriate, this will alter as seasons change, heating appliances are not used in warmer weather.
- Reducing waste and recycling. We will continue to encourage the children to help us reduce waste by taking home their lunchtime recycling, Parents currently support this plan and are recycling packaging at home. We encourage parents to make and provide lunch in washable tubs.
- Monitoring and reducing the use of carbon emissions. We have families that already walk to school, this can be improved and monitored. We will be joining in with the annual walk to school week, organised and promoted by Living Streets charity. We will plan in a way to monitor the children's journeys to school, and share this with the parents.
Adaptation and resilience
We are committed to taking actions to reduce the risk of impact from climate change, for example:
- Teaching children about the world around them. Our setting is situated in a very green and nature filled environment, which we embrace every day. We have a well organised Forest School for our 3-4 year old preschoolers and older Catkins children. We run a gardening club, which offers the children a rich learning experience particularly in knowledge and understanding of the world, through science experiments, planting and growing food, nurturing the seedlings and plants. We have a number of age related stories about the world we live in, and use these as part of the curriculum for information and stories.
- Spending time in nature every day. As an outdoor Nursery we believe greatly in free-flow learning, and are fortunate to have nature enriched gardens.
- Protecting wildlife in our garden and the local community.
- We care for our local birds and mini beasts by making bird feeders and mini beasts sanctuaries. We have a bee hydration station.
- Through play and learning we teach the children about the wider environment, and their local communities.
- Environmentally friendly routines. We have clear labelled bins for tissue and hand towels. Our children know that their lunchtime packaging needs to go home in their lunchboxes for recycling. We have in place a regular handwashing routine, we encourage them to think about and maintain a clean environment, especially after playing outside, after toilet and before meal times. At snack time we try to reduce food waste by encouraging the children to only take what they are going to eat.
- We involve children in sorting and recycling materials from nursery packaging, have a box for recycled material that the children can use and explore.
- Managing water and teaching the children to reduce water wastage.The children bring to school their own reusable water bottles, we teach the children to turn off taps, and discuss how water is a precious resource. Our children love water play and it has been recommended in the EYFS that children experience it as part of their learning. As a nursery on rainy days we encourage the children to catch rainwater using various containers so they can use it in their play. When a water tray is being tap filled we will keep it to a minimum, being mindful of water waste, this will be explained to the children and learnt through their play. We will Re-use water from water play, for washing outdoor play equipment and watering plants we can collect rain in designated containers.
Biodiversity
We are committed to taking actions to reduce the risk of impact from climate change, for example:
- Collecting waste to compost in our garden. Currently we have grounds people to cut grass areas and clear areas of dense foliage. We will begin to make plans for a designated composting area for small gardening waste and engage the children in gardening duties.
- Feeding the birds. Currently we have curriculum based activities around bird watching and making bird feeders. We will now include snack fruit and vegetable leftovers when feeding the birds.
- Acorn Nursery have been growing and releasing butterflies for a number of years, it is a very popular part of our curriculum. We have a small pond in our forest school to look for and discuss pond life. The children learn about bees and bee hydration, we have bee hydration stations.
- Planting in the garden, using collected seeds and recycled plant pots. We have a yearly sunflower challenge, the children plant sunflowers at school and are encouraged to nurture them over the summer holidays at home.
Climate education and green careers
We are committed to our children being educated about climate education and given opportunities that will prepare them for learning more about sustainability and life-long learning, for example:
- Learning more about climate change so we can share the information with the children.
- Including science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) learning in our curriculum.
- Planning monthly activities which teach children about nature and the natural world.
Print 