Moverly Children’s Centre is a homelike educational centre where children come to feel safe, play, learn, socialise and explore the environment. I am currently the Director of this 39 place children’s centre at South Coogee, NSW that is owned by Randwick City Council.
With the help of all my dedicated staff and support from our families we have chosen to implement a long term “Sustainability Management Plan’.
This is the basis of our emerging curriculum and philosophy. Our families are dedicated to the environmental philosophy and have guided us through the process.
The centre has joined a group funded by Randwick council and NSW ECEEN (NSW Early Childhood Environmental Education Network). This is a hub of services in the Eastern Suburbs who wanted to go “green’.
We submitted an expression of Interest and committed to 5 workshops. Our members were so inspired after the workshops. All staff and families have learnt so much and are in the process of implementing the changes.
Some of the projects that the children, staff and families are involved in are:
- Reducing chemicals in the service. We now only use soap and water and lots of muscle for cleaning. I am looking into micro fibre cloths to use as well.
- We are very careful with our purchasing. We endeavour to reduce the purchase of plastics; instead opting for more timber, naturally based or reusable materials. As a result the children are focusing on more natural art/craft experiences.
- Worm farm – The children of all ages are really enjoying this and watching the worms grow.
- Recycling – The children are very diligent with their recycling and are educating their families at home.
- Solar roof panels have been installed. Council is conducting an energy and water audit to determine usage and how we can save more effectively.
- Our water pressure has been turned down to reduce water. The tap fittings are in the process of being updated to reduce further flow and water wasting.
- One area that is still under consideration is the use of organic food and we hope to implement this in the near future.
- The centre yard is currently being re designed to incorporate a more natural play space for the children with paths, plants, digging patches and vegetable gardens. Long term, we are hoping to get a bunny rabbit for a centre pet.
Our environmental initiative has evolved and expanded over the past few months. All our families have been supportive and this has been incorporated into the children’s routines, curriculum and learning centres.
About the author
Danielle is a mother of two children and has worked as an early childhood educator, trainer and advocate in children’s services, since completing her Associate Diploma of Social Science in 1994. She has worked in the private, community based and local government sector.
Danielle has her Certificate 4 in Business and is currently in the final year of her Bachelor of Teaching (Early childhood) at the University of New England. She is also a Quality Assurance Trainer for the NCAC (National Childcare Accreditation Council) and was previously a Validator.
Danielle is the Director of Moverly Children’s Centre - a Randwick City Council owned service in NSW. She is passionate about quality children’s services and believing every child is unique, she ensures they have the right to be valued, respected and successful learners.
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