Sustainable Practices in Early Childhood Education and Care

This document discusses sustainable practices in early childhood education and care, focusing on strategies for environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It explores examples of sustainable practices, such as energy conservation and recycling, and provides guidance on developing a sustainability plan. The document also addresses ethical implications and monitoring strategies for sustainable practices. Suitable for students studying Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Running head: DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Formative & Summative 1
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Formative assessment
Activity 1:
One example of an environmental, social and economic sustainability strategy for the child
services industry context is switching off the lights when needed.
Switching off the electrical appliances when not in use and using energy efficient lighting
would facilitate less consumption of the energy, leading to less cost in the energy
consumption 1.
Activity 2
1. The organisation of concern does not necessarily work on recycling the already used
goods. Since, the concerned organisation is a child care centre and therefore, hence the
different resources used for playing can be made with recycled goods likeusing unused
bottles, plastic containers and the beads for creating different structures2.
2. Using, leaves rocks and twigs for the different creative craft work would be keep the
students close to nature and help them to interact with the natural world. Increasing the
children’s connection with the nature would enhance awareness among the children about
the conservation of the natural resources and why sustainability is important2.
3. Some of the information sources that can be used for identifying the areas of change are
electric consumption bills and other government websites that provide information about
environmental factors like the air quality index3.
1 Ritchie, Jenny. "Sustainability and relationality within early childhood care and education settings in Aotearoa
New Zealand." International Journal of Early Childhood 45.3 (2013): 307-326.
2 Pereira, L., et al. "Design for Innovation: Toys for Sustainable Play." International Conference on Research
into Design. Springer, Singapore, 2017.
3 Asmuni, Shahariah, Jamaliah Mohd Khalili, and Zahariah Mohd Zain. "Sustainable consumption practices of
University students in Selangor, Malaysia." Journal of Asian Behavioural Studies 2.5 (2017): 79-86.

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DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Activity 3
1. While developing a sustainability plan, it is necessary to have a close monitoring on the
energy consumption of the centre each month, proper disposal of the wastes and solid waste
management by composting, setting up of community gardens and careful supervision of
those gardens. It is also necessary to monitor and apply weedicides to prevent the growth of
the weeds in and around the childcare centre3.
2. An environmental management tool is a structured system that can be used by an
organisation to identify the different environmental impacts resulting from the business
activities and to improve the environmental performance. It provides a methodological
approach for the planning, implementation and reviewing of the environment management of
the organisation4.
Activity 4.
1. 10 components of developing and implementing a sustainable strategies involves-
 Nil poverty
 Zero hunger
 Proper health and wellbeing
 Clean drinking water and sanitation
 Ground water level
 Affordable and clean energy
 Responsible energy consumption 5
4 National Library Of Australia. Environmental management system tool. 2017.Access date: 24.2.2019.
Retrieved from:http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/gov/20170424130534/http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/
sustainable-communities/government-sustainability/environmental-management/ems-tool
5 Shove, Elizabeth, and Nicola Spurling, eds. Sustainable practices: Social theory and climate change.
Routledge, 2013.

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DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
 Climatic change
 Afforestation
 biodiversity
2. One of the concerns that requires positive change is the proper disposal of the wastes.
This can be done by introducing waste disposal bins of different colours2. Children
can be educated to dispose off different kinds of wastes in bins of different colors –
Organic wastes like the kitchen wastes has to be disposed off in green colored bins,
glass in yellow colored bins, Metal containers and the lids in the grey bins, plastic
bags , bottles and the containers has to be discarded in the blue ones. Children and
their parents would be encouraged bring reusable bottles and lunch boxes in the
educational centre2.
3. Two ways to check whether the policy has been implemented-
 Regular audit
 Feedback from the stakeholders
Activity 5
1. One of the activities using recycled goods involves making of a catapult by the use of the
used ice-cream sticks and used spoons and used rubber bands. Making of a catapult is a
part of STEM based learning for the kids that requires inquisitive scientific minds and
polishes the cognitive abilities of children. It also helps to develop problem solving skills
and rational thinking among the children. Parents can help the children in gathering the
resources like ice-cream sticks and using the paper cutters.

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2. Environmental data can be obtained from the government websites like the websites of
the Australian Government, Department of the environment and Energy. Some of the
popular databases that can be used are –
 Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)
 Ecological Communities of National Environmental Significance
 Australia - Ecological Communities of National Environmental Significance Database
(Public Grids)
The resource aid would contain information about the Australian Greenhouse Emissions
Information System (AGEIS), Chemical monitoring data base, information about the
agricultural chemical usage, the ozone monitoring, the natural vegetation information system
in Australia and information about the seasonal climate outlook.
Activity 6
1. Infant-Infants can be introduced to the sensory gardens in order to create positive
experiences in the outdoor learning environments. Sensory gardens in an outdoor
environment should contain wooden benches, logs platforms and bridges. The defined
areas might be constructed with different types of surfaces like flagstones, sands, wooden
chips6. Sand boxes and a designated dirt digging spot can be there. A sensory garden
would help the infants to learn through touch, sound, sight, texture, smell and taste.
Toddler-A kitchen in the sandpit invites messy and sensory play. The materials and the
spaces can assist the children to explore, investigate and create by the use of their senses7.
6 Tandon, Pooja S., Chuan Zhou, and Dimitri A. Christakis. "Frequency of parent-supervised outdoor play of
US preschool-aged children." Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine 166.8 (2012): 707-712.
7 Woonton, Maggie. Learning outdoors: Improving the quality of young children's play outdoors. Routledge,
2012.

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DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Pre-schooler-The pre-schoolers can be encouraged to build shapes such as castles made out
of boxes, clothes basket or the outdoor play instruments and the furniture8.
A school aged child-Children can be taken out and nature scavenger hunt can be organised.
The children can be asked to collect all the interesting thing obtained from the nature and
segregate in different orders as per their type , colour or the characteristics7.
In case of a child with special needs, it can become difficult for them to participate in
extensive outdoor activities like climbing , running, crawling or a children having visual
difficulty might feel it tedious to take part in sensory play7. In such cases sensory activities
like sensory exploration path by creating wooden squares by using the wooden boxes lined up
can be made. Various objects of different textures can be used to fill up the boxes and then
the children with the special care needs might be assisted to touch or smell them.
Activity 8
2. Sustainability in the education and the services can have significant ethical implications.
For example, while educating children about climatic change we often talk about the use
of the energy efficient devices9. It has to be mentioned that it is not the poor who have
caused the problem but generally suffer most due to the problem which is unjust 10. Poor
class of people might not have enough money to use the energy efficient devices. Again,
it is often said that the solar cells can be installed in the service centres for an
uninterrupted supply of electricity, but one of the important questions that might arise is
8 Hustyi, Kristin M., et al. "The effect of outdoor activity context on physical activity in preschool
children." Journal of applied behavior analysis 45.2 (2012): 401-405.
9 NSW Government’s environmental Trust. Sustainability Education for Childcare centres. 2017Access date:
24.2.2019. Retrieved from:http://www2.canterbury.nsw.gov.au/LittleGreenSteps/little-green-steps-report.pdf
10 Depoo, Tilokie, and David J. Rosner. "The ethical dilemma of sustainable development: Guyana." Journal of
Global Responsibility 2.1 (2011): 75-84.

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DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
the high cost behind the installation of the solar cells. Rich people always get the way out
for escaping such environmental crisis8.
4.Ethical dilemma during the waste disposal might occur in several cases. For example,
washing of paints down the sink and then wasting the discarded water. The discarded water
could have been used for watering the plants, but the synthetic colours might harm them.
Another ethical dilemma is that animal excreta are often used as manure, children and the
parents having certain beliefs might not want to use the biogas obtained from the animal
excreta8. Again food used in children activities are generally discarded after the play. Hence,
ethical dilemma might arise for wasting the food.
Activity 9
 Children can be educated to switch off the electronics devices while not using them or
turning the water pipes off, when not in use would cater to energy consumption and
thus can be considered as a sustainable practice11.
 Parents would sent re-usable lunch boxes or bottles such that they can be reused,
which again is a sustainable practice12.
Activity 10
2.The different policies and the procedures created by an organisation will support the
creation of a sustainable future and making sustainability, an organisational priority. The
sustainable environment policy would implement rules in an organisation, which will be
11 Ritchie, Jenny. "Sustainability and relationality within early childhood care and education settings in
Aotearoa New Zealand." International Journal of Early Childhood 45.3 (2013): 307-326.
12 Galloway-Thoele, Kathryn Allison. "Environmental Education in Pre-K Child Care Settings." (2015).

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DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
complied by staffs, children and the families of the children. The policies might reflect
several practices such and mandatory switching of electrical appliances, mandatory closing
off the taps and mandatory disposal of the wastes in different baskets as per the classification
of the waste materials. Again, policies involving regular cleansing of the areas surrounding
the centre, can assist in creating a clean and a pollution free environment.
Activity 11
1. Several factors can be taken in to consideration while monitoring the change for the
service philosophies such as the employee records, the environmental health and safety
requirements and the equipment, the different policies and the procedures and the rate of
the compliance of the policies and the procedures, programs for the health and nutrition,
the playground safety and the records of the children enrolled at the facility13.
It can again be monitored by keeping a track of the employees and the children turnover
in the centre. The rate of the mishaps can be tracked by conducting regular audits. The energy
consumption can be measured by checking the energy consumption bills.
2. Consultation with the stakeholders for the introduction of a more sustainable change in
the organisation involves- Steering groups , Electronic newsletters, meetings with the
relevant stakeholders and local workshops
3. After the strategy has been finalised it is now to be implemented in the concerned child
care setting. The information of the strategy has to be disseminated to the other
stakeholders like the child care staffs and the parents of the children. The stakeholders
embed the policy within the curriculum and part of the everyday services. Each staffs and
the stakeholders should be clear of their duties and accountabilities and how it fits in with
13 AlFaris, Fadi, Adel Juaidi, and Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro. "Improvement of efficiency through an energy
management program as a sustainable practice in schools." Journal of Cleaner Production 135 (2016): 794-805

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DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
the goal14. Additionally any ventures or funding has to be secured at this point of time.
Once the funding in place and all the stakeholders are well aware of the abilities, the plan
has to be executed.
Summative assessment 1
Question 1
Information about sustainable practices can be obtained from the government databases and
websites. The online resources can provide a large amount of information about the recent
environmental change and problems related to global warming and disrupted biodiversity.
Several papers and news articles are easily available that provides a large amount of
information about the several sustainable strategies and the campaigns occurring all over the
world to make this world a better living place.
Opportunities for sustainable practices can be found by a close monitoring, such as a
patch of garden can be constructed by making use of a small vacant space infront of the child
care centre. Again, any organic wastes generated from the kitchen can be used in composting
and can be used in the garden.
Question 2
Sustainable practice can be modelled by following a systematic framework starting
from a needs assessment and detection of the sustainability gaps in a child care facility. A
three legged stool mode can be used illustrating the three dimensions of the sustainability,
environmental and the socio-cultural. Environmental audits on the areas like – energy use,
water use, waste minimisation and management, water minimisation and management,
14 Mohan, Sathish, et al. "Sustainable practices within a school‐based intervention: a report from Project
Healthy Schools." World Medical & Health Policy 4.3-4 (2012): 80-89.

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DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
biodiversity, purchasing, chemical use and biodiversity15. Initially, it is necessary to
questions, that the strategies introduced will be cost effective, or environment friendly or
affects the culture of any students. After the needs assessment, it is necessary to inform and
educate the stakeholders about sustainable development. Appropriate policies and practices
has to be introduced for the promotion of the environmental sustainability.
Question 6
A child care service is obligated to keep the service environment clean and sustainable for the
children. Procedures and schedules has to be followed to ensure , that the premises, buildings,
the gardens, adjoining spaces, the furniture and the equipment are cleaned, safe and are well
maintained. The service would ensure daily checks and risk assessment, followed by a
thorough cleansing16. The children might the involved in the discussions. Children should be
encouraged to have an active role in keeping the school environment clean. Eco-friendly
cleaning options has to be used to prevent allergies and any adverse effects.
Question 7
In order to signal the intent of the service towards sustainability, the policy should mainly
involve – creating environmental blogs in the newsletters, developing a sustainability
calendar, setting up worm farms for initiating vermin-composting, policies to control energy
consumption and waste disposal and recycling.
Question 8
Ethical dilemmas may arise from sustainable practices, for example the deforestation for
developing crop fields can be perceived as a practice that does not support sustainable
15 Asmuni, Shahariah, Jamaliah Mohd Khalili, and Zahariah Mohd Zain. "Sustainable consumption practices of
University students in Selangor, Malaysia." Journal of Asian Behavioural Studies 2.5 (2017): 79-86.
16 Mohan, Sathish, et al. "Sustainable practices within a school‐based intervention: a report from Project
Healthy Schools." World Medical & Health Policy 4.3-4 (2012): 80-89.

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DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
development, but this fact cannot be overlooked, that there are several developing countries,
where people earn their living by agriculture. Although they can exploit their natural
resources for addressing some of their socio-economic problem, but it is faced with the moral
issue of sincere commitment towards sustainable development practices.

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DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
References
AlFaris, Fadi, Adel Juaidi, and Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro. "Improvement of efficiency
through an energy management program as a sustainable practice in schools." Journal of
Cleaner Production 135 (2016): 794-805.
Antonakakis, Nikolaos, Ioannis Chatziantoniou, and George Filis. "Energy consumption,
CO2 emissions, and economic growth: An ethical dilemma." Renewable and Sustainable
Energy Reviews 68 (2017): 808-824.
Asmuni, Shahariah, Jamaliah Mohd Khalili, and Zahariah Mohd Zain. "Sustainable
consumption practices of University students in Selangor, Malaysia." Journal of Asian
Behavioural Studies 2.5 (2017): 79-86.
Australian Government, Department of the environment and Energy. Databases and
applications. 2017. Access date: 24.2.2019. Retrieved
from:http://www.environment.gov.au/about-us/environmental-information-data/databases-
applications
Chawla, Louise, and Mary Rivkin. "Early childhood education for sustainability in the United
States of America." Research in early childhood education for sustainability: International
perspectives and provocations (2014): 248-265.
Depoo, Tilokie, and David J. Rosner. "The ethical dilemma of sustainable development:
Guyana." Journal of Global Responsibility 2.1 (2011): 75-84.
Galloway-Thoele, Kathryn Allison. "Environmental Education in Pre-K Child Care Settings."
(2015).

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DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Hustyi, Kristin M., et al. "The effect of outdoor activity context on physical activity in
preschool children." Journal of applied behavior analysis 45.2 (2012): 401-405.
Mohan, Sathish, et al. "Sustainable practices within a school‐based intervention: a report
from Project Healthy Schools." World Medical & Health Policy 4.3-4 (2012): 80-89.
National Library Of Australia. Environmental management system tool. 2017.Access date:
24.2.2019. Retrieved
from:http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/gov/20170424130534/http://www.environment.gov.au/
topics/sustainable-communities/government-sustainability/environmental-management/ems-
tool
NSW Government’s environmental Trust. Sustainability Education for Childcare centres.
2017Access date: 24.2.2019. Retrieved
from:http://www2.canterbury.nsw.gov.au/LittleGreenSteps/little-green-steps-report.pdf
Pereira, L., et al. "Design for Innovation: Toys for Sustainable Play." International
Conference on Research into Design. Springer, Singapore, 2017.
Ritchie, Jenny. "Sustainability and relationality within early childhood care and education
settings in Aotearoa New Zealand." International Journal of Early Childhood 45.3 (2013):
307-326.
Shove, Elizabeth, and Nicola Spurling, eds. Sustainable practices: Social theory and climate
change. Routledge, 2013.
Tandon, Pooja S., Chuan Zhou, and Dimitri A. Christakis. "Frequency of parent-supervised
outdoor play of US preschool-aged children." Archives of pediatrics & adolescent
medicine 166.8 (2012): 707-712.

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DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Woonton, Maggie. Learning outdoors: Improving the quality of young children's play
outdoors. Routledge, 2012.