The Health and safety of children are among the prime concerns of early childhood services when planning the learning environment. The safest way to combat such issues is to opt for organic formulations which replace harmful chemicals with nature-based ones. The following article provides information on using green cleaning products in an early childhood service.

Outdoor spaces hold great significance in early education and care settings which is why they are highlighted in Learning Environments, one of eight pedagogical practices put forward in the EYLF. It further says that Outdoor learning is a feature of Australian learning environments. They offer a vast array of possibilities not available indoors. One of the ways that outdoor spaces do this is by allowing children access to elements of Nature. The following article provides the importance of natural elements and strategies educators can use to enrich children’s play and learning experiences.

The Caring For The Environment Posters is great to use to show children and the community how to care for the environment. These are little tips that can be used as reminders of how we can all care for the environment. These posters will enable children to demonstrate an increasing knowledge of and respect for natural and constructed environments.

The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Posters are a good reminder for Educators and children on what items are to be reduced, reused and recycled. These can be displayed within a recycling area set up in the service to promote a sustainable environment.

The NQS mandates services to take an active role in caring for the environment and contributing to a sustainable future. According to NQS Standard 3, Element 3.2.3, “The service cares for the environment and supports children to become environmentally responsible.” The following article provides information on Understanding Sustainability, Sustainability Ideas For Early Childhood Services and Sustainability Learning For Children.

The Climate Action Childhood Network believes in the importance of generating responses to climate change through creating and experimenting alongside young children. The goal is to move beyond learning “about” the climate crisis to seeing ourselves as part of it.

Sustainable Posters provide points on how services contribute to sustainability within their service by minimising waste, reducing energy, minimise water consumption and use less toxins. 

The NQS states that services take an active role in caring for its environment and contributes to a sustainable future (standard 3.3).