ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE POLICY
Our Service encourages the awareness of environmental responsibility and implements practices that contribute to a sustainable future. Children are supported to become environmentally responsible and show respect for the environment. We practice and promote sustainability through reducing waste, minimising consumption, and protecting and conserving wildlife and natural habitats.
NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARD (NQS)
| QUALITY AREA 3: PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT | ||
| 3.2 | Use | The service environment is inclusive, promotes competence and supports exploration and play-based learning. |
| 3.2.1 | Inclusive Environment | Outdoor and indoor spaces are organised and adapted to support every child’s participation and to engage every child in quality experiences in both built and natural environments. |
| 3.2.2 | Resource’ support play-based learning | Resources, materials and equipment allow for multiple uses, are sufficient in number, and enable every child to engage in play-based learning. |
| 3.2.3 | Environmentally responsible | The service cares for the environment and supports children to become environmentally responsible. |
RELATED POLICIES
| Animal and Pet Policy Educational Program Policy | Physical Environment Policy |
PURPOSE
We believe in educating children about being environmentally responsible which is promoted and supported through daily practices, resource and interactions. Sustainable practice is encouraged within the Service and community, assisting children and families to become advocates for a sustainable future.
SCOPE
This policy applies to children, families, educators, staff, management, Approved Provider, Nominated Supervisor, students, volunteers and visitors of the Service.
IMPLEMENTATION
Teaching and learning about being environmentally responsible starts with everyday practice. We believe being environmentally responsible should be embedded into the operations of the Service, rather than being a tokenistic ‘theme’ that is investigated every now and then. Our Service is committed to protecting our environment to ensure a sustainable future for our children. This involves educators, children and families working together to protect our environment as we educate children about the importance of being environmentally responsible within our everyday practice.
THE APPROVED PROVIDER/MANAGEMENT/NOMINATED SUPERVISORWILL:
- network with the local community to keep up to date with current practices and ideas for being environmentally responsible. This may include installing water tanks, grey water system, converting toilet cisterns to dual flush, and converting to water saving taps
- encourage educators, families and children to engage in sustainable practices and appreciate the natural environment
- provide professional development opportunities for educators to learn about integrating environmentally sustainable education into all areas of their program
- review the development of a sustainable Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) development using environmentally principles
- ensure the Service joins a preferred provider e.g.; Australian Association for Environmental Educationto liaise with other education and care services and maintain currency on practices and ideas for being environmentally responsible
- where relevant, review policies and procedures within the Service to achieve more sustainable outcomes (e.g.,using individual hand towels instead of paper towel to dry hands)
- use electronic communication where possible to reduce paper use within the office and in each room for newsletters, billing, and other communication needs
- conduct environmentally responsible audits to ensure consistency and continuous improvement
- source resources and materials from Reverse Garbageor second-hand stores to use within the Service
- ensure sustainable practices are incorporated into the daily routine
- collaborate with families and the community for involvement in potential quality practice for the Service. For example: Take 3 for the Sea, Food wise, Planet Ark
- provide colour coded bins for Landfill only, Organic waste, Paper recycling, Mixed recyclables.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES MAY INCLUDE:
| SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE | IDEAS |
| RECYCLING | |
| GARDENING | |
| ENERGY CONSERVATION | |
| WATER CONSERVATION | |
| NATURE AND WILDLIFE | |
| COMMUNICATE |
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT/REFLECTION
The Environmentally Responsible Policy will be reviewed on an annual basis in conjunction with children, families, staff, educators and management.
SOURCE
Australian Association for Environmental Education (AAEE): www.aaee.org.au
Department of Environment and Energy: www.environment.gov.au
Education and Care Services National Regulations. (2011).
Queensland Early Childhood Sustainability Network (QECSN): www.qecsn.org.au
Revised National Quality Standard. (2018).
Western Australian Education and Care Services National Regulations
REVIEW
| POLICY REVIEWED | FEBRUARY 2023 | NEXT REVIEW DATE | FEBRUARY 2024 |
| MODIFICATIONS | policy maintenance – no major changes to policyhyperlinks checked and repaired as requiredcontinuous improvement/reflection section addedlink to Western Australian Education and Care Services National Regulations added in ‘Sources’ | ||
| POLICY REVIEWED | PREVIOUS MODIFICATIONS | NEXT REVIEW DATE | |
| FEBRUARY 2022 | Policy reviewed as per annual review cycleSources checked for currency | FEBRUARY 2023 | |
| FEBRUARY 2021 | minor editsmoved ideas for sustainable practices to end of policysources checked and broken links edited | FEBRUARY 2022 | |
| FEBRUARY 2020 | Additional information added to points.small wording editsadditional links added for information | FEBRUARY 2021 | |