Little Green Steps

greenstepsWaverley and Gardiner early education centres have been selected to participate in the year long Little Green Steps project aimed at creating sustainability in the centres. Waverley Council, along with five other Councils, was successful in gaining funding from the NSW governments Environmental Trust to run the project, which will get underway in August.

Little Green Steps, which was developed by Wyong and Gosford Councils in 2004 takes a practical approach to environmental education for the under fives. Children will learn through hands-on education, observation and participation, and families and staff will be involved through meetings, sustainability workshops, newsletters and displays.

The project will also involve conducting environmental audits, developing environmental management plans for the centres, professional development for childcare professionals and the creation of environmental education resource kits - including environmentally themed children’s books, large laminated photos, educational activates etc.

The following are the desirable outcomes of the project:

  • behavioural change amongst centre staff and parents
  • adoption of positive sustainable habbits and views by the children
  • a reduction in energy, water, waste, toxins and resource consumption
  • appreciation of the value of nature
  • networks to share resources, experiences and knowledge
  • increased sustainability in childcare centres operations and services
  • quality sustainability education, targeted to young children.

A manual has been created called "Climbing Little Green Steps" to assist Councils in implementing the program.

Read article about this project which was publish in Waverley in Focus (Winter 2010) - see page 10.