Research shows that the earlier children are given opportunities to connect with nature, learn about the environment and our impact on it, and develop skills to care for it, the more likely it is that they will be environmentally responsible as adults.
Dandenong Ranges Childcare embeds sustainability into all of our practices, routines and educational programs to ensure that the children develop a strong understanding and respect for the environment and its finite resources.
The sustainable considerations at our service include but are not limited to:
- Recycling, and using recycled materials
- Energy efficiency
- Purchasing
- Water conservation – the children have access to our water tank for water play
- Worm farm
- Composting
- Chickens – the children feed fruit and vegetable scraps to the chickens and collect their eggs
- Growing and maintaining a range of plants
We pride ourselves in embedding sustainable practices into our operations, and include ideas, ideals, concepts and actions into the program that encourage educators, children and families to care and advocate for the environment throughout their lives.
Our physical environment also includes a wide range of natural features such as plants, trees, edible gardens, bark, sand, rocks, mud and water that enable the children to explore and connect with nature.