Global poverty, climate change and the world's rapidly depleting natural resources have rarely been out of the headlines this summer. These issues have implications for nursery providers on two fronts. First, we have to recognise our role in encouraging young children to appreciate the natural world and the need to conserve its resources (see 'Earth matters', Nursery World, 30 June 2005). Second, we should take account of the extent to which our businesses can save precious natural resources.
At the Children's House nursery we have had a sustainable development statement in place for three years. The nursery is on a farm in the Lincolnshire village of Stallingborough and our sustainable development policies aim to show our commitment to:
* conserving the world's natural resources
* fostering children's awareness of the environment
* supporting our local community.
Sustainable development is integral to our development plan and fits with our underpinning Montessori ethos of 'care of self, care for others and care of the environment'. Here are some examples of how we demonstrate it.
Environmental action
* One of our buildings is housed in a converted barn, while the new nursery is on the site of unrecoverable barns and has been constructed sensitively with an awareness of local materials. The design reflects nearby farm buildings, and clay roof pantiles were sourced from nearby Barton.
* The nursery has regenerated a neglected area of the village, creating a real focus and community hub.
* We buy local produce and resources wherever possible, and give priority to small local businesses that are likewise committed to sustainable development. For example, we are currently supporting an organic farm box scheme by buying farm produce for the children's food and have become a collection point for boxes for the community. This is a great way for children to learn about the seasonal nature of food and why we don't always know what vegetables will be on the menu!
* We have prepared and implemented a Green Travel Plan, which encourages staff and parents to use transport other than private cars.
* We have been successful, in partnership with the parish council, in reducing noise and nuisance in the village by lobbying to remove HGVs travelling through the village.
* Our new building has been built with energy efficiency in mind. Over and above statutory obligations, under-floor heating has been used throughout the building and temperatures can be controlled in each room. There is a great deal of natural light throughout the building, reducing the need for artificial light, and what lighting we have uses low energy.
Wood fittings are from sustainable wood sources, and the outside of the building is almost entirely timber-clad.
Learning by doing
A great deal of funding is targeted at the voluntary and community sector, meaning that private nurseries have to be very creative about how they engage with the environmental awareness agenda. But it can be done!
Being located on a working farm highlights to the children the importance of the farming industry, our dependence on it for food, and the role it plays in rural life and the economy.
We also take the children on regular visits to local sites of interest, such as a managed meadow in the village, a dipping pond, a working mill and estuary viewing point.
We are also committed to the principles of the Eco School Initiative, which says that it aims 'to encourage whole-school action for the environment'
and is described as 'more than an environmental management system for schools. It is a programme for promoting environmental awareness in a way that links to many curriculum subjects, including citizenship, personal, social and health education and education for sustainable development'. We are working towards the first level and are developing a site-wide children's plan for environmental action.
Inspired by projects such as Eco Schools, Growing Schools by the DfES, and Learning through Landscapes (see box), the children have been involved in growing their own vegetables and herbs, helping to plant a willow tunnel and taking part in the National Day Nurseries Association's Sunflower Challenge.
In addition, we are just starting to work with an environmental assistance charity to develop our outdoor area in an environmentally friendly manner.
The area will be used as an outdoor classroom to help develop the children's awareness of recycling materials and renewable energy. This is as simple as employing disused vehicle tyres for a range of play activities to collecting rainwater to water plants and exploring how windmills work.
In terms of recycling, we set a target to recycle 100 per cent of plastic containers by December 2004 and are pleased to say we met this and continue to do so.
Children and community
We have a nutrition policy for children and source organic and GM-free food wherever possible. We estimate some 70 per cent of our food is organic including meat, vegetables and bread and is largely from a local farm shop.
We have worked with the Caroline Walker Trust materials, which specialises in nutrition in under-fives, and encourage parents to be involved in formulating menus.
We like to think our sustainable development philosophy extends to the wider community and we have thrown open our doors to be a community resource, from free IT training for local residents and holding health visitor drop-ins to hosting a theatre production. We are also supporting the local action group in their funding bids for a village play area. We are proud of what we have done, and realise how much more we could be doing! NW
Nathan Archer is director of the Children's House consultancy in Stallingborough, Lincolnshire
More information
* The Eco Schools Initiative is an international initiative that encourages whole-school action for the environment. Visit www.eco-schools.org.uk
* The Growing Schools website has been devised to support teachers in using the 'outdoor classroom' as a resource across the curriculum for pupils of all ages. Visit www.teachernet.gov.uk/growingschools
* The charity Learning through Landscapes has an early years outdoors membership scheme that helps early years practitioners develop outside spaces to make the most of their potential for play and learning. Visit www.ltl.org.uk
