Recycling

Recycling in our setting takes on many forms. In both our baby room and 2-4s room we have recycling bins available for the children to use. From the earliest age, we encourage children to think about whether an item needs to go in the bin, whether it can be reused or repurposed in the setting or whether it can be recycled and used again in the different form. We support children to use both sides of the paper when drawing. Cardboard boxes from deliveries are kept, and one cardboard box will be used many times. Children are central to this process. They can make their own resources, and we encourage them to think independently about how they can use and reuse the items available.

Food

Sustainability relating to food begins with mealtimes. We encourage the children not to overload their plate. If they want more they can come back for seconds. We compost the food which is not eaten, and the children are part of this process. They scrape the food into the compost bin, take it outside, and we teach them how the composted food enriches the soil we use to help plants grow, as well as being a haven for worms and minibeasts. Using our outside space to grow plants, herbs, fruit and vegetables is a key aspect of our curriculum. We want the children to know where their food comes from, and to take an active role in nurturing the plants and caring for the insects that live among them. When children are involved in growing, it helps promote sustainable food consumption; it’s about teaching them lifelong habits.

Resources

Over the years, we have adapted our practice in a way that aims to do as little harm to the environment as possible. A key part of this is thinking carefully about the resources we use. We have stopped using glitter, sequins and pipe cleaners in creative activities. Instead, we encourage the children to gather and use items they can find outside such as leaves, twigs and small stones. We will also add these items to water and sand activities. We use beans and dried pulses to create mosaics. We use fresh herbs we have grown to add scent to playdough. We teach the children to turn off the tap after they’ve washed their hands, so they know their actions have an impact. It is everyone’s responsibility to make a positive choice.

Our commitment to this ethos extends to providing the children with as many open ended, natural play resources as possible. Why have a plastic phone, when a wooden block can be used as a phone, a car ramp, a hairbrush or a castle wall? We encourage the children to think creatively in terms of how they use the resources, which in turn means we buy less and reuse items again and again. We believe that by showing the children that resources can be used in multiple ways, that resources can be fixed and repaired, and that even waste can be used positively – we are teaching them important lifelong skills.

Forest School

We use the Forest School approach both in and out of the nursery. Forest School has so many benefits for children. In the forest environment, the children are in charge of their own learning and we, the adults, are there to support and facilitate them. They can take risks and immerse themselves in nature. They learn how to climb trees and logs and how to land safely. In turn, these experiences develop their confidence and self esteem. We replicate this in the garden in our setting - everything we do inside can be taken outside. Children have independence, freedom and autonomy. Many children in Islington don’t have direct access to outside space. Parents are often shocked when they see our garden for the first time, and it’s a huge selling point as they may not have this at home. Spending time outside is so important as it enables children to visualise the environment they’re trying to protect, and gives them a passion and love for nature and being outdoors.

Danielle Violaris has been the manager at Mildmay Community Nursery for 12 years and has 24 years experience of working with young children. In 2009, she studied at the London Metropolitan University, completing her BA in Early Childhood studies and later gaining Early Years Professional Status. Danielle has worked with other community nurseries, providing advice and support in developing their provision and practice. Danielle's passion, knowledge and expertise was definitely put to the challenge when she had her son in 2015, and then gave birth to twins a year later! In April 2023, Danielle and her staff team were inspected by Ofsted and received an 'Outstanding' grade.