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. Outdoor and indoor spaces are organised and adapted to 3.2.1 Inclusive Environment support every child's participation and to engage every child in quality experiences in both built and natural environments. Resources, materials and equipment allow for multiple 3.2.2 Resource' support play-based uses, are sufficient in number, and enable every child to learning engage in play-based learning. The service cares for the environment and supports 3.2.3 Environmentally responsible children to become environmentally responsible. RELATED POLICIES Animal and Pet Policy Physical Environment Policy Educational Program 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 'creating, promoting and maintaining sustainable communities.' (EYLF, 2.0)THE APPROVED PROVIDER/MANAGEMENT/NOMINATED SUPERVISOR WILL: Environmentally Responsible Policy ensure the principles of the approved framework- Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) V.20, 2022, underpin our educational program within the Service- including the new principle of Sustainability 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 engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders, where possible, to explore and share their own history, culture and rich sustainable practices encourage educators, families and children to engage in sustainable practices and appreciate the natural environment, understand our impact on the natural world, and the interdependence between people, animals, plants, lands and waters provide professional development opportunities for educators to learn about integrating environmentally sustainable education into all areas of their program and engage in shared critical reflection reflect on environmental, economic and social impacts on the world in all aspects of Service operation and include in the review and development of a sustainable Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) ensure the Service joins a preferred provider e.g.; Environmental Education in Early Childhood to liaise with other education and care services and maintain currency on sustainable practices and ideas for being environmentally responsible where relevant, review policies and procedures within the Service with educators, children and families, to achieve more sustainable outcomes and practices use electronic communication where possible to reduce paper use within the office and in each room for newsletters, billing, and other communication needsconduct environmentally responsible audits to ensure consistency and continuous improvement Service source resources and materials from Reverse Garbage or second-hand stores to use within the 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. EDUCATORS WILL: encourage children to take an active role in caring for the environment and think of ways they can contribute to a sustainable future - Environmentally Responsible Policy support children's understanding of their rights and responsibilities as members of local and global communities through meaningful and relevant educational experiences (ACECQA, 2022) incorporate recycling as part of everyday practice at the Service. Recyclable containers will be provided throughout mealtimes and experiences support children's commitment to social justice through curriculum decision making role model environmental sustainability practices during play discuss environmentally responsible practices with the children and families as part of the curriculum provide information to families on environmental responsible practices that are implemented at the Service and encourage the application of these practices in the home environment support children to become active citizens in their communities- displaying values of respect, inclusion and helping others, as well as appreciating diversity in all forms (EYLF. 2.0) share ideas between educators, children, and families about environmentally responsible ideas, implementation, and resources. This will be supported through our communication strategies,including parent meetings, emails, newsletters, and informal conversations use a worm farm/composting bin to reduce food waste in the Service. Children will be encouraged to place food scraps into separate containers for use in the worm farm or composting bin. Educators . will provide visual guides and discuss with the children and families which scraps worms can eat, which foods can be composted, and which food scraps must go in the bin. The children will be involved in maintaining the worm farm and compost bin role model energy and water conservation practices: For example, turning off lights and air- conditioning when a room is not in use, emptying water play containers onto garden areas. seek to purchase equipment that is environmentally friendly where possible. Educators will reduce the amount of plastic and disposable equipment they purchase and select materials that are made of natural materials use the concept of 'reduce, re-use and recycle', which will become part of everyday practice for both children and educators to build lifelong attitudes towards environmentally responsible practices use 'green cleaning' products to replace chemicals where possible. SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES MAY INCLUDE: SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE IDEAS Provide bins and signage for waste and recycled materials RECYCLING Recycle paper and all other recyclable rubbish Use recycled water (e.g., for watering gardens) Environmentally Responsible Policy Plant vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees Establish a worm farm Give food scraps to worms or Service pets, or to a staff membe to take home for their net/sP Plant vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees , * Establish a worm farm Give food scraps to w i orms or Service pets, or to a staff to take home for their pet/s ' T Provide education to child i to ren about activities such as * plate' activities. g Provide opportunities for children to participate in experiences uch as seed sprouting, vegetable gardening, cooking with what is grown, and provide education about weeds GARDENING . Install LED lighting where possible e Turn off non-LED lights when not in use e Turn off electrical appliances at the outlet when not in use Use natural ventilation and insulated blinds/drapes rather than air conditioning when temperatures are not extreme | Using half flush on the toilet . Turn off the taps and ensure leaking taps are fixed immediately e Encourage shorter showers | Teach children to turn off tap when brushing teeth Collect rainwater and use in the garden and for water/sand play . Use water play water on the garden rather than tipping out at the end of the day Use natural materials trees, blocks, boxes etc. in arts and crafts . and play = : | Educate children about the natural decomposition cycle through A s expouE and participation in worm farms and composting food - | = lscraps |+ Educate children in how to care for pets, letting them actively - participate in caring for the Service pets. ~ |+ Plant'bird attracting' plants and install a birdbath | plant 'butterfly attracting' plants |- Ccreate alizard lounge L | | . Collaborate with wildlife educators to assist in educatmgchildwren _' 7 ty journey in the foyer area for ide feedback and offer By sly the Service's sustainabili families and visitors to view, prov suggestions _ Provide families with hints and ti they can become sustainable at home | Use scrap paper for art and craft Use both sides of paper for drawing REFLECTION | be reviewed on an psin newsletters about how COMMUNICATE CONTINUOUS |MP7ROVEMENT/ esponsible policy wil nction with children, annual basis in conju The Enw'ronmenta!!y R e families, staff, educators and managemen SOURCES : . www.agee Org.au - jation for EnvironmentalEducatlon (AAEE) i Australian Associaltl L . quality Autha 0 d q : an' On. & d - = ( a O [} 2 ; o 5 AR A 2