At Jenny’s ELC, we believe that teaching children to care for the world around them is one of the most important lessons we can offer. From the earliest years, children are naturally curious about nature – the birds they see outside their window, the leaves crunching beneath their feet, the worms wriggling in the garden. These small observations are the first steps in building a lifelong connection to the environment.

In our centres, we embed sustainability into our daily practices – not as a stand-alone topic, but as part of the way we learn, play, and care. Whether it’s turning food scraps into compost, reusing cardboard boxes for craft, growing herbs in the garden, or talking about recycling, these activities all help children understand their place in the natural world.

But these lessons don’t begin and end at the centre gate. When children see sustainability being valued both at home and in early learning, it sends a powerful message: this matters. That’s why family involvement is so important.

Why Start Now?

Children form habits, values, and attitudes at a young age. The way we talk about and interact with the environment today will shape the way they care for it tomorrow. Encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour early on helps children build empathy, responsibility, and a sense of agency – they learn that their actions have impact.

More than just learning facts about recycling or nature, it’s about helping children develop a respectful relationship with the Earth and understanding how their choices, even the little ones, make a difference.

What You Can Do at Home

You don’t need to be an expert or overhaul your lifestyle to help your child grow into an environmentally conscious person. Here are some practical, family-friendly ways to make sustainability part of your everyday life:

Start with Conversation

Talk to your child about what you’re doing and why. “We’re turning the lights off to save electricity,” or “Let’s use this container instead of plastic wrap.” These explanations give context and meaning.

Involve Children in Daily Tasks

Invite children to help water the garden, sort the recycling, pack their lunch with reusable items, or collect scraps for the compost bin. These hands-on tasks empower children to take part and feel proud of their contributions.

Connect with Nature

Make time to play outdoors. Visit a local park, walk through the bush, observe bugs in the backyard, or start a mini garden together. Children who spend time in nature are more likely to care for it.

Get Creative with Reuse

Instead of throwing items away, challenge your child to find a new use. Cardboard boxes become cubby houses, yoghurt tubs turn into plant pots, and old clothes can become dress-ups or fabric scraps for craft.

Role Model Positive Habits

Children notice what we do. When they see you recycling, bringing your own bags to the shops, choosing second-hand, or reducing waste, they learn these behaviours as normal and important.

Working Together for a Greener Future

At Jenny’s ELC, our commitment to sustainability is woven through everything we do – and we know that when families embrace these values too, the learning becomes even more powerful.

By working together, we can raise children who not only love nature, but who understand how to care for it. Children who feel confident to ask questions, solve problems, and make choices that are thoughtful and kind – to others and to the planet.

It’s in the small, everyday actions that big change begins.