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Devonshire Day Nursery children showcase award-winning eco skills

After scooping a prestigious ‘Green Flag’ award with distinction from Eco-Schools for their exceptional environmental initiatives, children from Devonshire Day Nursery in Chiswick were delighted to visit their local recycling centre to put their knowledge into practice.

At the recycling centre, children from the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Bennett Street sorted their rubbish into the appropriate bins, from plastic to mixed paper and card, whilst discussing what the items may be turned into for re-use, instead of going to landfill.

It is for such activities that Devonshire were awarded the highest accolade in the Eco-Schools programme, following a sustained environmental project and year-round curriculum of ‘green’ topics involving children of all ages, with initiatives including growing vegetables, creating habitats for wildlife, crafting with natural materials and community litter picking.

Devonshire Day Nursery Manager, Emmy Avery explained;

“Our children have a brilliant understanding of the steps we can take to help the planet and are so proud to have their efforts recognised with awards like the Green Flag. Taking part in the Eco-Schools programme has provided so many exciting learning opportunities and gives a level of awareness which we believe will stand them in amazing stead for their adult lives.”

Childbase Partnership has recently been named ‘Early Years Provider of the Year’ by Keep Britain Tidy for earning the Eco-Schools ‘Green Flag’ award in every single nursery setting, a record-breaking sector first, which recognises extraordinary environmental efforts.

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Nature Trails Day Nursery receive top environmental award

There was cause for celebration at Nature Trails Day Nursery in Cawston as proud children and colleagues learnt that they had received another prestigious eco-accreditation.

After scooping a ‘Green Flag’ with distinction as part of the international Eco-Schools programme last year, children from the setting on Coventry Road were delighted to earn the top award for the second year running, following a sustained environmental project and year-round curriculum of ‘green’ topics, involving children of all ages.

The accolade, which is the highest achievement in the international programme, recognises sustainable initiatives in nursery, which include growing vegetables, creating habitats for wildlife, crafting with natural materials, litter picking sessions and caring for their pet ducks.

Nature Trails also has its own dedicated Eco-Committee, which is led by Deputy Manager, Kelly Lawson and made up of a number of Pre-School children who take a lead role in ensuring the rest of nursery is environmentally considerate by ensuring resources like paper aren’t wasted, taps are not left running and that knowledge is shared.

Praising the achievement, an Eco-Schools Representative wrote;

“Well done for looking after your ducks so well, your knowledge on growing healthy produce has helped to keep your wildlife happy! Your Eco-Code is beautifully designed, and easy to follow with a powerful message. It’s a great reflection of the ethos your Eco-Committee have created, well done to all involved!”

Nature Trails Day Nursery Deputy Manager, Kelly Lawson explained;

“We are so proud of our Eco-Schools journey and are thrilled to receive the Green Flag with distinction for the second year running. The children absolutely love taking part in the wide array of activities on offer and this award is testament to that. We believe this programme provides so many valuable learning opportunities and educational messages which will stand our pre-schoolers in brilliant stead for the rest of their lives.”

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Hampstead Gate Day Nursery scoop Green Flag award with distinction

There was cause for celebration at Hampstead Gate Day Nursery in Milton Keynes as proud children and colleagues learnt that they had received another prestigious eco-accreditation.

After scooping two ‘Green Flag’ awards with distinction as part of the international Eco-Schools programme over the past two years, pre-schoolers from the setting on Eelbrook Avenue were delighted to add a third to their impressive repertoire, following a sustained environmental project and curriculum of green topics, involving children of all ages.

The accolade, which is the highest achievement in the international programme, recognises sustainable initiatives in nursery, which include growing herbs and vegetables, creating habitats for wildlife, crafting with natural and recycled materials and litter picking sessions, as well as enterprises such as sponsoring endangered turtles to learn more about marine life.

To further learning, pre-schoolers can also enjoy a series of books, handwritten and created by Childbase Partnership professionals, with titles including ‘Harry and the Bug Hotel’ and ‘Harry and the Big Clean Up’, to help embed key eco messages, whilst talented colleague, Maria Christania Winardi has created a Harry inspired mural in the children’s garden area.

Praising Hampstead Gate’s achievement, an Eco-Schools Representative explained;

“It’s wonderful to see how your Eco-Committee members are empowered to take an active role in meetings and how you provide a forum for discussion in which they feel safe and confident to verbalise their thoughts and ideas. This will help to ensure that your Eco-Schools work is child-led and that your pupils, despite their young age, have a strong voice.”

“What really stands out in your Action Plan is how your choice of projects was led by the passions and interests of the children and this is clear testament to how you are putting your young people at the heart of the programme”, they added.

Hampstead Gate Day Nursery Eco-Representative, Rachael Wright explained;

“We are committed to giving our children the best possible future here at Hampstead Gate and looking after the environment plays a huge part in that. We have worked so hard to reach this point and we are so proud of everything we’ve achieved. The children are very enthusiastic about the activities on offer and love sharing their learning back at home.”

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Lime Grove Day Nursery celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week

There were learning opportunities at every turn for children at Lime Grove Day Nursery in Hemel Hempstead as they took part in activities for National Children’s Gardening Week.

After discussing the importance of bees and other pollinating insects to the planet, pre-schoolers from the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Park Road planted a range of native and pollinator plants in their garden to attract wildlife and bugs, including lavender, basil, rosemary, thyme, violas and wildflower seeds, in line with their Eco-Schools project.

During the experience, children used their fine motor skills to dig into the soil with their very own tools and bury the seeds, as well as using their senses to take in the aromas of the different herbs and counting the insects that they saw on the ground and in the mud.

As part of the celebrations, the group created a total of three bug hotels around their new planting areas and learnt why this would benefit the ecosystem, as well as reading themed books including their Childbase Partnership written storybook, ‘Harry and the Bug Hotel’.

It is for such activities that Lime Grove have earnt a prestigious ‘Green Flag’ award with Distinction, the highest accolade in the internationally recognised Eco-Schools programme, which is awarded for exceptional environmental awareness and conservation practices, through activities including growing vegetables and crafting with natural materials.

The nursery are also proud holders of the RHS School Gardening Award at Level 2, and are currently working towards Level 3 with initiatives around composting and practical skills.

Lime Grove Day Nursery Deputy Manager, Yasmin Diver explained;

“National Children’s Gardening Week has provided some lovely opportunities to build on our eco skills and knowledge and we can’t wait to see which insects our new flowers and bug hotels attract. Our children are so enthusiastic about our eco-curriculum and are really passionate about making a positive difference, which is incredible and hugely inspiring.”

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National Children’s Gardening Week at Westwood Day Nursery

There were learning opportunities at every turn for children at Westwood Day Nursery in Coventry as they celebrated National Children’s Gardening Week with a series of activities.

At the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Westwood Business Park, green fingered children showcased their talents as they planted a selection of herbs and vegetables in the garden outside, using their fine motor skills to dig into the soil and bury the seeds, which they will monitor over the coming months, before being used in meals by Nursery Chefs.

The activities follow an ‘Eco-Week’ celebration at the setting, where children took part in a series of inspired initiatives to learn about the importance of protecting the planet, as well as holding their very own march outside the nursery building to spread the message.

It is for such activities that Westwood have earnt a prestigious ‘Green Flag’ award, the highest accolade in the internationally recognised Eco-Schools programme, which is awarded for exceptional environmental awareness and conservation practices, through activities including creating habitats for wildlife and crafting with natural materials.

Westwood Day Nursery Manager, Lyndsey Matthews explained;

“The children love immersing themselves in the eco-activities on offer and this has become a real interest within the group. One of our pre-schoolers came into nursery with a handcrafted save the planet cup following our celebrations so its really lovely to see that these learning experiences are having an impact at home. We had a wonderful time planting and can’t wait to see and taste the results of our hard work in the summer when they’re ready to pick.”

National Children’s Gardening Week takes place from 27^th May to 4^th June 2023.

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River View Day Nursery children celebrate Eco-Week

From creating garden bug hotels to litter picking dressed as superheroes, there were learning opportunities at every turn for children from River View Day Nursery in Hertford as they took part in a series of ‘green’ activities to mark their very own Eco-Week at the setting.

At the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on North Road, pre-schoolers were delighted to plant an array of vegetable seeds, including pumpkins, carrots and leeks, which they will monitor and tend to over the coming months, before being used as ingredients in meals.

As well as holding their very own ‘reduced energy day’ by turning off lights and saving on resources where possible, many families took part in a ‘walk, cycle and scoot to nursery day’, whilst others enjoyed car-sharing initiatives in a bid to reduce to their carbon footprint.

During the festivities, nursery rooms showcased their creativity with a scarecrow competition, using natural and recycled materials to make their designs, which are being proudly displayed in the setting’s allotment area to protect their crops from unwanted visitors.

At River View, children enjoy a curriculum of eco-activities all year round, leading them to earn a prestigious ‘Green Flag’, the highest accolade in the international Eco-Schools programme, which is awarded for exceptional environmental awareness and conservation.

River View Day Nursery Team Leader, Katie Gibbs explained;

“We have had such an exciting week in nursery and the children have loved immersing themselves in all the experiences on offer. The eco-activities provide so many valuable teachings and our pre-schoolers already have a fantastic understanding of why taking care of our planet is so important, which will stand them in brilliant stead for their adult lives.”

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West Downs Day Nursery children celebrate Eco-Week

Green-fingered children from West Downs Day Nursery in Winchester were delighted to breathe new life into the garden as they took part in initiatives to mark Eco-Week.

At the award-winning setting on Romsey Road, pre-schoolers started by learning about child-safe plants that are native to the United Kingdom, before researching ones they could plant in their garden to help give a boost to threatened species. Following this, children used their tools to spread new soil in the bedding areas, before planting an array of seeds.

As part of the experience, children learnt of the steps they could take to help the seeds grow, as well as how to tend to the other plants in the garden. Meanwhile, families were delighted to be given their own seed bags and growing cards as part of the nursery’s parent partnership initiative, enabling children to continue the learning opportunity at home.

At West Downs, children take part in sustainable activities all year round, from creating habitats for animals to crafting with natural materials, leading them to earn a prestigious ‘Green Flag’, the highest accolade in the international Eco-Schools programme, which is awarded for exceptional environmental awareness and conservation practices.

West Downs Day Nursery Team Leader, Danni Markwick explained;

“We had a fantastic time planting in our garden and the children were thrilled to be able to share this experience with their families back at home. Our nursery parents are sending in pictures of their progress and we have been using this to link back to the topic. This has created lots of excitement and has really engaged the children in the Eco-Week festivities.”

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Creating a buzz at Windmill Hill Day Nursery

Following an interest in insects and their life cycles, children from Windmill Hill Day Nursery in Swindon were delighted to welcome a grandparent to the setting to learn all about bees.

Sharing their expert knowledge as a keen beekeeper, pre-schoolers from the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Windmill Hill Business Park were captivated as they listened to facts from their special guest, including why bees are so important to our ecosystem, the boost that beekeeping gives to the bee population and the process of how honey is made.

As part of the learning experience, children were inspired to take to the gardens to find out how they could encourage more bees to their outside spaces in the warmer summer months, as well as discussing why we must look after the plants and wildlife in our environment.

At Windmill Hill, children take part in sustainable activities all year round, from planting and growing vegetables to crafting with natural materials, leading them to earn a prestigious ‘Green Flag’, the highest accolade in the international Eco-Schools programme, which is awarded for exceptional environmental awareness and conservation practices.

Windmill Hill Day Nursery Quality Manager, Karamay Pritchett explained;

“It’s really important for us to involve our families and wider community in our interests in nursery as this can help to create so many rich learning opportunities. It’s lovely for our guests to be able to share their passion, whilst having a real influence on the children, who are always delighted to have visitors. The pre-schoolers show so much enthusiasm towards our eco-projects and we believe this will stand them in great stead for the rest of their lives.”

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Sandfield Day Nursery children delight with eco-friendly Easter bonnets

Festivities were well underway at Sandfield Day Nursery in Headington as children proudly showcased their homemade Easter bonnets for a special competition at the setting.

Having been tasked with making their bonnets from environmentally friendly and ecologically conscious materials, pre-schoolers from the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Sandfield Road were delighted to get creative with their families, with resources used including an Easter egg box and flowers from a nursery parent’s wedding bouquet.

As part of the celebrations, children were able to parade their creations around the nursery, whilst partaking families each made a £2 donation to The Trussell Trust as part of Sandfield’s year-long fundraising and donation drive to help feed local people.

At Sandfield, children take part in sustainable activities all year round, from planting and growing vegetables to crafting with natural materials, leading them to earn a prestigious ‘Green Flag’, the highest accolade in the international Eco-Schools programme, which is awarded for exceptional environmental awareness and conservation practices.

Sandfield Day Nursery Business Administrator, Becci Worth explained;

“The Easter Bonnet Competition was an amazing success and we were blown away by the imagination and effort that went into the designs. Our families are amazing at getting behind the worthy causes we support and we are delighted to be making this donation to the Trussell Trust, along with Easter eggs and essential food items to benefit the community.”

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Getting close to nature at Hampstead Gate Day Nursery

Having been inspired by the RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch, children from Hampstead Gate Day Nursery in Milton Keynes were delighted to create their very own bird feeders.

After spotting an array of different species in the garden, pre-schoolers from the setting on Eelbrook Avenue showcased their creativity by crafting the bird feeders using recycled materials and seeds, mixing and moulding, before proudly hanging them in their outdoor spaces to encourage more wildlife into the environment for all to observe and enjoy.

As part of the learning experience, children discussed different types of birds and what they eat in the wild, as well as discussing the ingredients used to create the bird feeders.

At Hampstead Gate, children take part in sustainable activities all year round, from planting and growing vegetables to crafting with natural materials, leading them to earn a prestigious ‘Green Flag’, the highest accolade in the international Eco-Schools programme, which is awarded for exceptional environmental awareness and conservation practices.

Hampstead Gate Day Nursery Eco-Representative, Rachael Wright explained;

“The children were hugely excited to take part in the bird feeder making activity and this provided so many valuable learning opportunities. We are now hoping to extend our activities around this topic and welcome some rarer breeds into the garden.”

Category: Eco/Environment

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Devonshire Day Nursery children showcase award-winning eco skills

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Nature Trails Day Nursery receive top environmental award

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Hampstead Gate Day Nursery scoop Green Flag award with distinction

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Lime Grove Day Nursery celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week

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National Children’s Gardening Week at Westwood Day Nursery

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River View Day Nursery children celebrate Eco-Week

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West Downs Day Nursery children celebrate Eco-Week

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Creating a buzz at Windmill Hill Day Nursery

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Sandfield Day Nursery children delight with eco-friendly Easter bonnets

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Getting close to nature at Hampstead Gate Day Nursery

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