PE4K Childcare Sustainability

We believe that children need to know about, understand and respect nature before they can commit to looking after it. We also believe that children are born with a sense of wonder and an affinity with nature. They are naturally curious and interested, with a great imagination, and a special ability to see beauty and good all around them. Further, we agree that “if children are to keep this inborn sense of wonder alive, they need the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with them the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in” (Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder).

Our educators understand that their role is to be that “one adult” Rachel Carson speaks of. They nurture children’s innate sense of wonder and affinity by providing them with the opportunity to engage in practical activities that: connect them with nature; enhance their understanding of the relationship between themselves and nature; and, develop a respect, even love, for the environment and its creatures.

As part of our Sustainability Program, children and educators garden, worm farm and compost. Educators ask children to describe the awesome things they see, hear, feel, smell and touch away from the service such as sounds of the beach, the taste of watermelon, or the silkiness of a kitten. Educators delight in any natural items (e.g. shell, interesting leaf) children bring to the Centre. The educators also intentionally teach children about the importance of reducing, reusing, recycling and repurposing, and remind them to turn off taps and lights.