In December 2023, The Department for Education (DfE) published: “Sustainability and Climate Change: A Strategy for the Education and Children’s Services Systems.” And guess what? It’s not just for big schools; it’s got huge implications for all of us in the Early Years Sector here in England.
This isn’t just another stuffy document, although quite lengthy. It’s a clear roadmap showing how every single educational setting, from nurseries to playgroups, can jump in and help create a more sustainable future and get our little learners ready for the challenges of climate change.
Why Does This Matter So Much for Our Youngest?
Think about it: we in early years are shaping the very first impressions our children have of the world. This strategy totally gets that. It highlights just how important early education is for helping children understand climate change and fall in love with nature right from the start. Ultimately, it’s all about helping them grow into thoughtful global citizens who grasp environmental issues and feel empowered to do something positive.
What Does This Mean for Your Early Years Setting?
The strategy points out a few key areas where you can make a difference:
- Leading the Green Charge: By 2025, the goal is for every nursery and setting to have a ‘sustainability lead’ – someone to champion all things green. They’ll also be helping implement a ‘climate action plan’ for your setting. This plan will cover everything from what you teach and the activities you do, to how you buy things, adapt to changes, and even reduce your carbon footprint.
- Getting Savvy with Carbon: Good news! The DfE plans to offer carbon literacy training for all those sustainability leads by 2025. This means the people at the helm will have all the knowledge they need to put these plans into action effectively.
- Learning Straight from Nature: This strategy encourages getting hands-on with nature. Imagine setting up eco-clubs, growing veggies, and letting children explore sustainable food choices and the magic of recycling. These aren’t just fun activities; they boost children’s physical and mental well-being, ease any worries they might have about the planet, and give them a real sense of purpose. You might have heard about the National Education Nature Park and Climate Leaders Award, which began in autumn 2022. These initiatives are designed to make sure every child, no matter their background, gets those precious opportunities to connect with nature and play their part in climate action.
- Greener Operations, Smarter Choices: It’s also about how your setting runs day-to-day. The push is on to ditch single-use plastics and embrace reusable and recyclable items. Plus, there’ll be guidance to help you meet the new Environment Act 2021 rules, especially when it comes to recycling glass, paper, card, plastic, metal, and food waste.
- Weaving Climate into Learning: While the strategy doesn’t spell out specific curriculum tweaks for early years, it clearly stresses the need for all ages to understand climate change and feel a stronger bond with nature. You can easily weave these ideas into what you already do, making it fun and engaging for your little ones.
So, What’s Next for You?
This strategy is a brilliant invitation for the Early Years Sector to step up! It gives us the framework and the backing we need to truly embed sustainability and climate change education into everything we do. By fostering strong leadership, offering practical, nature-based learning, and running our settings responsibly, we can play an important role in raising a generation that’s not only knowledgeable but also resilient and totally fired up about protecting our amazing planet.
Click here to read the full paper: Sustainability and climate change: a strategy for the education and children’s services systems – GOV.UK
