A Sprinkle of Coffee, a Drizzle of Worm Tea, and a Commitment to Sustainability
Connection to our local communities is an important aspect of building long-term and sustainable relationships. At Green Leaves Early Learning, our commitment to this is foundational.
You can understand why then, it was a proud moment when our team at Green Leaves Parkwood was recently awarded a Certificate of Commendation for their achievements in sustainability as part of the 2023 Switch On Business Awards. These awards recognise businesses in the City of Canning that celebrates environmental sustainability and go above the standard within its own sector.
The nomination came as a welcome surprise, as families submitted a nomination outlining the amazing things that they had embedded into their daily practices and operations. The entries were reviewed by members of the South East Regional Energy Group (SEREG), which comprises a small team of passionate professionals with skills and experience in sustainability, community engagement, business management, and science.
As part of their learning journey, the children at Green Leaves Parkwood are taught to cherish and protect their natural world. The curriculum has a strong focus on sustainability. Developing an environmental awareness at an early age helps instill an appreciation and respect for natural resources.
In the Early Years Learning Framework, sustainability practices help demonstrate to children the way they’re connected with and contribute to their world. These foundational learnings are carried through to adulthood.
The Educators at Green Leaves Parkwood have been embedding these practices in their daily learning journeys. Guided by the Centre’s Sustainability Champion, the children take part in a variety of activities that demonstrate their love and care for the natural environment.
The children look forward to tending to the Centre’s edible garden and worm farm, where they harvest herbs and ‘worm tea’ to share with families. Another favourite point of interest is the Centre’s freshwater aquarium, which is teeming with fish and plants. Part of sustainable practices include reducing and reusing, where possible. During its scheduled cleaning, the old water is re-used to nourish the plants because it’s rich in friendly bacteria and nutrients.
One of the children’s favourite activities was learning about the frog lifecycle, where they raised tadpoles and released them into the wild at Canning Weir. During the event, the children spotted a snake slithering into the river, and it sparked further discussions and inspired the children to create a collage of a snake with hundreds of bottlecaps donated by families. Once the artwork was completed, the children presented it to the Canning Weir Eco Library. The leftover bottle caps were donated to the Prosthetic Limb Service, where they repurpose the plastic to manufacture prosthetics.
At Green Leaves Parkwood, the Educators work in partnership with the children, their families, and local communities to create change within and outside the Centre. Whether it’s visiting the local library to tap into its extensive literary resources, unearthing hidden gems at ReMida for art projects, making their own paper, or starting a food drive for those who are experiencing hardship and homelessness. Together, there are opportunities to collaborate in their commitment to care for the environment.
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