ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE POLICY

Our Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) Service encourages the awareness of environmental responsibility and implement practices that contribute to a sustainable future. Children are supported to become environmentally responsible and show respect for the environment. We practice and promote sustainability through reducing waste, minimising consumption, and protecting and conserving wildlife and natural habitats.

NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARD (NQS)

QUALITY AREA 3: PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
3.2	Use	The Service environment is inclusive, promotes competence and supports exploration and play-based learning.
3.2.1	Inclusive Environment	Outdoor and indoor spaces are organised and adapted to support every child's participation and to engage every child in quality experiences in both built and natural environments.
3.2.2	Resource’ support play-based learning	Resources, materials and equipment allow for multiple uses, are sufficient in number, and enable every child to engage in play-based learning.
3.2.3	Environmentally responsible	The Service cares for the environment and supports children to become environmentally responsible.

RELATED POLICIES

Animal and Pet Policy

Educational Program Policy

Physical Environment Policy

PURPOSE
We believe in educating children about being environmentally responsible which is promoted and supported through daily practices, resource and interactions. Sustainable practice is encouraged within the OSHC Service and community, assisting children and families to become advocates for a sustainable future.

SCOPE
This policy applies to children, families, educators, staff, Approved Provider, Nominated Supervisor, management, students, volunteers and visitors of the OSHC Service.

IMPLEMENTATION

Teaching and learning about being environmentally responsible starts with everyday practice. We believe being environmentally responsible should be embedded into the operations of the OSHC Service, rather than being a tokenistic ‘theme’ that is investigated every now and then. Our Service is committed to protecting our environment to ensure a sustainable future for our children. This involves educators, children and families working together to protect our environment as we educate children about the importance of being environmentally responsible within our everyday practice.

THE APPROVED PROVIDER/NOMINATED SUPERVISOR WILL:

network with the local community to keep up to date with current practices and ideas for being environmentally responsible. This may include installing water tanks, grey water system, converting toilet cisterns to dual flush, and converting to water saving taps
encourage educators, families and children to engage in sustainable practices and appreciate the natural environment
provide professional development opportunities for educators to learn about integrating environmentally sustainable education into all areas of their program
review the development of a sustainable Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) using environmentally principles
ensure the Service joins a preferred provider e.g., Sustainable Schools NSW (or State equivalent) to liaise with other education and care services and maintain currency on practices and ideas for being environmentally responsible
where relevant, review policies and procedures within the Service to achieve more sustainable outcomes
use electronic communication where possible to reduce paper use within the office and in each room for newsletters, billing, and other communication needs
conduct environmentally responsible audits to ensure consistency and continuous improvement
source resources and materials from Reverse Garbage or second-hand stores to use within the OSHC Service
ensure sustainable practices are incorporated into the daily routine
collaborate with families and the community for involvement in potential quality practice for the Service. For example: Take 3 for the Sea, Food wise, Planet Ark
provide colour coded bins for Landfill only, Organic waste, Paper recycling, Mixed recyclables.

EDUCATORS, STAFF MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENTS WILL:

incorporate recycling as part of everyday practice at the OSHC Service
role model environmentally responsible practices
discuss environmentally responsible practices with the children and families as part of the curriculum
provide information to families on environmentally responsible practices that are implemented at the OSHC Service and encourage the application of these practices in the home environment
share ideas between educators, children, and families about environmentally responsible ideas, implementation, and resources. This will be supported through our communication strategies, including parent meetings, emails, newsletters, and informal conversations
use a worm farm/composting bin/ to reduce food waste in the Service. Children will be encouraged to place food scraps into separate containers for use in the worm farm or composting bin. Educators will provide visual guides and discuss with the children and families which scraps worms can eat, which foods can be composted, and which food scraps must go in the bin. The children will be involved in maintaining the worm farm and compost bin
role model energy and water conservation practices: For example, turning off lights and air-conditioning when a room/space is not in use, emptying water play containers onto garden areas
seek to purchase equipment that is environmentally friendly where possible. Educators will reduce the amount of plastic and disposable equipment they purchase and select materials that are made of natural materials
use the concept of ‘reduce, re-use and recycle’, which will become part of everyday practice for both children and educators to build lifelong attitudes towards environmentally responsible practices
use ‘green cleaning’ products to replace chemicals where possible.

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES MAY INCLUDE:

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE	IDEAS
RECYCLING	Provide bins and signage for waste and recycled materials Recycle paper and all other recyclable rubbish Use recycled water (e.g. for watering gardens)
GARDENING	Plant vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees Establish a worm farm Give food scraps to worms or Service pets, or to a staff member to take home for their pet/s Provide education to children about activities such as ‘garden to plate’ activities Provide opportunities for children to participate in experiences such as seed sprouting, vegetable gardening, cooking with what is grown, and provide education about weeds
ENERGY CONSERVATION	Install LED lighting where possible Turn off non-LED lights when not in use Turn off electrical appliances at the outlet when not in use Use natural ventilation and insulated blinds/drapes rather than air conditioning when temperatures are not extreme
WATER CONSERVATION	Using half flush on the toilet Turn off the taps and ensure leaking taps are fixed immediately Encourage shorter showers Teach children to turn off tap when brushing teeth Collect rainwater and use in the garden and for water/sand play Use water play water on the garden rather than tipping out at the end of the day
NATURE AND WILDLIFE	Use natural materials – trees, blocks, boxes etc. in arts and crafts and play Educate children about the natural decomposition cycle through exposure and participation in worm farms and composting food scraps Educate children in how to care for pets, letting them actively participate in caring for the Service pets. Plant ‘bird attracting’ plants and install a birdbath Plant ‘butterfly attracting’ plants Create a lizard lounge Collaborate with wildlife educators to assist in educating children
COMMUNICATE	Display the Service’s sustainability journey in the foyer area for families and visitors to view, provide feedback and offer suggestions Provide families with hints and tips in newsletters about how they can become sustainable at home Use scrap paper for art and craft Use both sides of paper for drawing

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT/REFLECTION

The Environmentally Responsible Policy will be reviewed on an annual basis in conjunction with children, families, staff, educators and management.

SOURCE

Australian Association for Environmental Education (AAEE): www.aaee.org.au

Department of Environment and Energy: www.environment.gov.au

Education and Care Services National Regulations. (2011).

Queensland Early Childhood Sustainability Network (QECSN): www.qecsn.org.au

Revised National Quality Standard. (2018).

Rockendorfer, J. (2005). ECO OOSH in action: A whole of centre approach to sustainable living: A manual

for out of school hours (OOSH) centres (Edited by Gail Abbott). Surrey Hills, NSW: Network of

Community Activities.

Western Australian Education and Care Services National Regulations