Home Road Kindergarten Inc
Sustainability policy Purpose The staff and committee acknowledge the importance of integrating sustainable practices to help promote an environmentally conscious kindergarten and community. This policy will provide guidelines to: •
Encourage children to be active participants in environmental practices
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Promote the importance of sustainable practices, which includes recycling, reusing and reducing rubbish
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Provide opportunities for incorporating sustainable practices
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Participate actively in current Council sustainability programs for kindergartens
Policy statement 1. Values Home Road Kindergarten is committed to: •
Minimise waste production by the kindergarten going to landfill and increase the percentage of material that is reused and recycled
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Encourage children to participate in all activities and strategies to assist with litter reduction, water, paper and energy conservation
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Support Hobsons Bay City Council’s current sustainability programs that relate to our kindergarten. From 2009-2012, the kindergarten was part of the ‘Green Kinders Program’ initiative, which helps children services promote sustainable practices through providing water and energy efficiency retrofits to facilities
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Consulting and working collaboratively with families, recognising cultural practices and lifestyle choices
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The education of parents/guardians and the community about sustainable practices through the provision of information, role-modelling and discussions/consultation while acknowledging the diversity of families
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Providing children opportunities to learn about our environment and incorporate sustainable practices
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Providing a safe, supportive and social environment in which children can enjoy sustainable practices
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To decrease the amount of energy that the kindergarten uses through greater efficiency and better practices, and to maximise the use of energy from carbon neutral sources
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To increase the biodiversity of the kindergarten by planting native species where possible and increasing the habitat area for local wildlife
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To minimise the consumption of mains water at the kindergarten and to utilise other sources such as a rainwater tank to assist in this reduction
2. Scope This policy applies to all staff, committee, parents/guardians, volunteers and students on placement at Home Road Kindergarten.
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3. Background and legislation Sustainability education should be incorporated into everything and should be considered as an ongoing part of the program rather than isolated activities. Sustainable development should meet the needs of the present citizens without compromising the ability of future generations to live comfortably. Children are our future generation; it is essential that adults advocate and promote sustainable practices. Children need to feel positive about the future as they are introduced to the lovely aspects of the world and empowered to begin to look after it. United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development started in 2005 promoting appropriate teaching and resources developed and used to teach all children about protecting the planet. Sustainable practices are essential if children are to become socially responsible and show respect for the environment. Relevant legislation may include but is not limited to: •
Education and Care Services National Law Act
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Education and Care Services National Regulations
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National Quality Standard
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Children, Youth and Families Act 2005
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Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005
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Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
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Family Law Act 1995
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Workplace Relations Act 1996
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Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act 2004
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Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
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Water Act 2007
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Building Code of Australia (current)
4. Definitions Sustainability: The concept of living within our limits and understanding the interconnections between money, people and the natural environment. Carbon Footprint: The amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organisation, event, product or person. Conservation: A carful preservation and protection of something and planned management of natural resources to prevent exploitation, destruction or neglect. Recycle: To extract useful materials from the garbage and to reuse useful substances such as food scraps, paper and water. Natural Environment: Encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth. Green Kinders Program: The Hobsons Bay City Council launched its ‘Green Kinders Program’ in 2009, which aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, as well as energy and water use in child care centres and kindergartens operating within Council-owned buildings.
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5. Sources and related centre policies Source Environmental Education in Early Childhood: www.eeec.org.au Australian Association for Environmental Education: www.aaee.org.au Gould League Environmental Education Programs: www.gould.edu.au
Centre policies •
Behaviour guidance
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Communication
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Healthy eating and active play
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Hygiene
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Inclusion and equity
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Nutrition and food safety
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Program participation
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Sun protection
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Supervision
Procedures The committee is responsible for: •
Reviewing annually, with the consultation of staff, committee and parent/guardians, the guidelines for sustainable practices considering needs of families and children
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Ensuring the playrooms, play spaces, play equipment, meal times, relaxation and social play support children and families to make environmental choices
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Providing families with ongoing information in the form of brochures, newsletters, tip sheets and support focus on promoting sustainable practices
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Facilitating and encouraging the implementation of a range of strategies to reduce resources use and increase our biodiversity
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Participating in Council programs that integrate environmental practices to reduce water use and energy use
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Providing the necessary funding to implement these strategies on an ongoing basis
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Encouraging community participation in our environmental projects and strategies and encourage similar strategies to be taken at home
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Applying best environmental practice and principles to the design, construction and operation of all new buildings and gardens to enable high levels of energy efficiency and sustainability to be achieved
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The staff are responsible for: •
Ensure that the objectives above are incorporated into the curriculum to ensure that all children understand the importance of sustainability
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Undertaking program planning to ensure children are provided with a wide range of experiences to support social, emotional, physical and cognitive development
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Ensuring gender, cultural, age and individual differences are considered when planning activities
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Exploring and discussing the importance of sustainable practices, which includes recycling, reusing and reducing rubbish
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Participating in Council programs that integrate environmental practices to reduce water use and energy use
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Supporting this policy when organising excursions and centre events
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Encourage children to become more environmentally aware and actively involved in sustainable activities
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Ensuring students on placement and volunteers are aware of and comply with this policy
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Supervision of children during participation of sustainable practices where necessary
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Ensuring the playrooms, play spaces, play equipment, meal times, relaxation and social play support children and families to make environmental choices
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Model appropriate sustainable practices to the children at kindergarten
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Assist with litter reduction, water, paper, and energy conservation through habitual practices
The parents/guardians are responsible for: •
Supporting the objectives and strategies outlines in this policy
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Modelling appropriate sustainable practices to the children
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Encouraging children to becomes more environmentally aware and actively involved in sustainable activities
Evaluation To assess whether the policy has achieved the values and purposes, the committee will: •
Consult with staff in relation to whether the objectives of the policy are being met through the kindergarten program and observations of student behaviours
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If appropriate, conduct a survey in relation to this policy or incorporate relevant questions within the general parents/guardians survey
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Take into consideration feedback from all uses of the centre
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Monitor complaints related to this policy
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Keep up to date on current research and legislation to ensure compliance
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Attachments Attachment 1: Specific Strategies and Targets Attachment 2: ‘Green Kinders Program’ Guidelines
Authorisation This policy was adopted by the Home Road Kindergarten committee of management at a committee meeting on 14 March 2012.
Review date: 2014
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Home Road Kindergarten Inc Attachment 1
Specific strategies and targets •
Participate in Hobsons Bay City Council sustainability programs relevant to the kindergarten
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Utilise the grants made available, including ‘Mobil Science & Maths Grant Program’
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Use energy efficient lighting, natural light and blinds on northern, eastern, and western windows
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½ flush toilets in all bathrooms and turning taps off after use to save water
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Encourage the children and staff to use the kindergarten’s rain water tank water for outdoor play and washing
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Use vinegar and eucalyptus oil instead of chemicals for wiping surfaces
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Purchase second hand where possible
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Encourage children to use both sides of paper and shred unwanted paper for pasting to reduce paper waste
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Use natural materials in program planning where possible
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Maintain the kindergarten’s edible garden to promote good environmental practices and to allow children to experience the links between growing and eating food
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Maintain the kindergarten’s habitat garden to increase the kindergarten’s biodiversity and to add an important teaching area to promote sustainability
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Explore and discuss the life cycle of plants, insects and animals with the children
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Continue to promote child participation in good environmental practices
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Explore and discuss different cultures and ways of living with the children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customs
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Encourage families to walk or ride to kindergarten rather than driving to encourage good physical health and reduce gas emissions
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Maintain links with Hobsons Bay City Council and network with other centres and the broader community
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Monitor the use of photocopier paper and encourage all staff to reduce their usage of this paper by using double sided sheets, laminating for reuse and reduction to fit more information on each page
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Turn off appliances, lights and computers when not in use
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Establish environmental events within the centre to promote sustainability within kindergarten community, including ‘Recycle Ted Family Stories’ and ‘Garden Week’
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Continue to provide facilities for recycling of all recyclable waste including recycling, green waste and composting
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Teach children about recycle labels, symbols and signs
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Encourage families to send children’s snacks and lunches in reusable containers to reduce the kindergarten’s rubbish
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Encourage staff and families to participate in SunSmart program
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Minimise use of electrical heating and cooling by encouraging natural ventilation in summer and dressing appropriately in winter
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Initiate other sustainable practices where possible
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Home Road Kindergarten Inc Attachment 2
‘Green Kinders Program’ Overview •
Hobsons Bay City Council is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations to zero net by 2020 and to help the community reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero net by 2030
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The Council has also committed to reduce potable water consumption by 30 per cent by 2015 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings by 25 per cent by 2013
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Green Kinders is a guide for child care centres that will assist them to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, water use and waste production associated with their buildings
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Green Kinders shares the experiences of the Altona Meadows and Altona North Child Care Centres which have developed and implemented environmental Action plans to use their buildings more sustainably
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It is estimated that the actions these centres have taken will save them 24 per cent of their greenhouse gas emissions and hundreds of dollars in energy bills
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Reducing the environmental footprint of your child care centre will contribute towards
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Creating a healthier environment for everyone. It will also help to ensure the Council achieves its greenhouse gas emission and water use reduction targets, while also reducing your energy and water bills.
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