As an Early Years educator, you have many important roles; from toilet training children to helping them get ready for school, tracking their development and liaising with other professionals, there is a long list!
However, this role could be our most important yet. Saving the planet. Everyone is aware that the climate is changing, we are polluting the atmosphere and causing global warming, yet we find it hard as adults to implement the changes needed. I guess we get comfortable doing things the way we are used to?
Children embrace challenges. They really are the future. So the role of an Early Years educator is now vital in the preservation of our planet and possibly species.
Children love to learn, they are sponges for information and it is important we share with them all the changes that are happening in the world due to climate change. We need to teach children why this is happening, what the effects are and most importantly, what they can do to prevent it.
We will be putting a pledge in place from the start of the Term:
To create a sustainable learning environment and give our children the knowledge, skills and compassion needed to contribute to a sustainable future for the Planet.
We will be having lots of discussions and stories about the environment at circle times as well as creating fun, thought-provoking activities for the children.
We will also be increasing our sustainability at Preschool in the following ways:
- Recycling, re-using & repairing wherever possible
- Buying second hand
- Growing fruit and vegetables we can use in our snacks
- Creating a nature reserve in our garden
- Using plant-based or biodegradable cleaning products
- Switching off lights when leaving rooms
- Turning off sockets instead of leaving devices on standby
- Encouraging staff to walk or cycle to work when they can
- Looking after the wildlife in our Forest School
- Using recyclable aluminum trays for lunches with no packet waste thanks to our switch to Nursery Kitchen
- Litter Picks
We also encourage families to do what they can from the above at home. As the weather gets warmer perhaps you could ride a bike to Preschool together, pick up any litter you see whilst out, be conscious of how much single-use plastic you buy, use biodegradable or reusable nappies, buy second-hand!
We hope that everyone will help support us with this & we will ensure your children help to remind you every day!
The future of our planet lies in our children’s little hands and it is all of our jobs to give them the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in saving us all.