Sustainability in the Early Years
Young children are naturally curious about the world around them, and the Early Years Foundation Stage encourages us to nurture this curiosity through real-life experiences. By weaving sustainability into everyday routines and play, early years settings can help children care for nature, understand simple choices, and see how they can make a difference.
On this page, you’ll find lots of helpful links, ideas and resources to support you in becoming a greener nursery, with practical steps that are easy to build into your day.
Click on these links to get you started on your journey!
Explore ways to take care of the environment:
Looking after the environment | KS1 Citizenship | Primary - BBC Bitesize
How to build a climate action plan
A climate action plan is your education setting's roadmap to becoming more sustainable. Find more information here: Develop a short term Climate Action Plan
Outdoor learning ideas - Browse and download free outdoor lesson ideas for every age and subject here: Outdoor learning ideas | Learning through Landscapes
The National Education Nature Park programme empowers children and young people to make a positive difference to both their own and nature's future. Go on a journey to get to know your outdoor space and use creative decision-making to improve your grounds for both people and nature. This free programme provide all educators with the resources, support and guidance to embed climate and nature into learning in a way that suits your setting and learners. Visit: Home | Education Nature Park
Find out about The Department for Education’s strategy for sustainability and climate change for the education and children’s services systems. Visit: Everything we are doing in education to tackle climate change – The Education Hub
