Sustainability

One of our key aims is to help children develop a global mindset, connecting the dots between the small steps we take at home and the giant strides we can make in the world.

Ecological footprints.

We believe early childhood education settings should examine their own ‘ecological footprints’ and work towards reducing waste in energy, water and materials. This is how we operate at Woodland Wanderers, where we practise our eco-based principles every day.

We all owe a responsibility to sustainability. And to truly understand our relationship with the environment, to respect the world around us and recognise the greater order of nature.

Early years pioneers like Montessori and Steiner were advocates for this approach way before sustainability became the movement it is today. That’s why their teachings come from a place of authenticity, having been fused into their methods over many years.

Sustainability for Educational Development.

If you’re not familiar with the forest school ethos, here’s a bit more about it:

Forest school stands apart from other forms of outdoor education because practitioners adhere to six guiding principles which are agreed by the UK Forest School community:

Given the severity of the climate emergency and the need for a nationwide and cross-generational approach, the teaching and practising of sustainability must start with teaching in early childhood.

We show children how they are interconnected within a wider ecological context and that every action can have an impact. They are a vital part of a wider picture and our broader community. Research shows that fundamental values and attitudes are formed in early childhood, so it’s important to lay the foundations with our little ones now.

Early years settings are primed for educating children on sustainability.

Here at Woodland Wanderers, we believe that there are several easy steps that can be taken to promote awareness and create lifelong habits. From turning out the lights to conserving water and our ‘waste not, want not’ philosophy, we make these actions a fun part of our day. That way, they stay front of mind for all of us.

Beyond the environmental benefits of teaching children about sustainability from a young age, learning about it helps children to make sense of the world around them, exploring the “what if” and “how”. Children then begin to connect with and develop a passion for the environment, for nature and their relationship with it, as well as understanding the cruciality of sustainability.

Alongside teaching sustainability practices, spending time immersed in nature can have a positive impact on young children, enabling them to visualise the environment that they are trying to protect. Through education on trees, plants and wildlife, Woodland Wanderers makes sustainability a central part of our children’s thought process.

At Woodland Wanderers, we bring the concepts of sustainability to life through principles such as recycling and reusing. These are instilled into the children’s daily routine in a creative and fun way and are a big part of our curriculum planning.