There are many environmental challenges we all face in today’s world if we want to live in a society that is self-sufficient and truly sustainable. We have a responsibility to ensure that all the children who attend our nursery understand about our environment, how fragile it is and the huge importance of looking after it.

No matter how small or insignificant a change may seem, we can all help whether its focusing on recycling, even eating less red meat, or even choosing to walk sometimes instead of driving.

Given our location and natural surroundings we have a unique opportunity to teach our little ones about the environment, the impact that humans have on it, and how we can all help to have a positive impact. We have access to an abundance of wildlife, rivers, streams, forests and open green spaces to nurture an appreciation of nature and its importance on human life with our children.

Our Sustainable Vision

Monkey Puzzle Astwick is committed to protecting our environment and making a positive impact on our planet through education and collaboration.

This is a level of ambition that we cannot achieve on our own and we seek to work collaboratively with parents, carers, staff and children in helping us to achieve our vision. We should all be concerned about the impact our daily lives have on the environment and by us all changing a just few small things we can all have a huge positive impact on our surroundings – the whole is greater than the sum of the parts!

Energy Usage and Consumption

Aim – To reduce the nursery’s carbon footprint through implementation mechanisms and education.

  • Renewable energy source used to heat and power the nursery
  • Underfloor heating used to heat the nursery which is more effective and efficient in heating large spaces
  • Energy saving lightbulbs installed throughout the nursery
  • Electric window openers are solar-powered
  • Explain to children the importance of only using the energy we need and lead by example

Resource and Waste Management

Aim – To minimise and acitvely manage waste through elimination, reduction, reuse and recycling.

  • We have recycling bins in the rooms for our older age groups
  • We re-use plastic bottles and containers for junk modelling activities
  • We source, where possible, refills for cleaning materials to reduce our use of plastic
  • Where possible, we source local or in season produce packaged without plastic and plastic bags
  • We encourage children to distinguish between general waste and recyclable waste and where they can recycle

Conservation of Water

Aim – To conserve water through efficient use and education of our little ones.

  • Children water taps and drinking fountains are push buttons so they automatically stop after a short period
  • Plates, cutlery and cups are cleaned twice daily in a dishwasher on an eco-friendly cycle
  • Bed sheets and blankets are allocated per child and washed weekly
  • Washing is done twice weekly and only when we have a full load
  • We have a water meter to track our usage and performance
  • We will be installing a water butt as we develop our outside space
  • We explain to children why the water taps are push activated and why conserving water is important to our world

Natural Ecosystem and Biodiversity

Aim – To teach our little ones to always have an appreciation of their natural surroundings.

  • Planting wildflowers in our gardens to increase insect life around the nursery
  • Erecting bird feeders to encourage birds to visit our nursery
  • Feeding the ducks, pigs and sheep when we go on farm walks
  • Purchasing a bug-house for our garden

Green Travel

Aim – To provide sustainable travel options for staff, parents, carers and children to travel to and from the nursery to help reduce our carbon footprint.

  • Implementing and promoting awareness about our Green Travel Plan (GTP)
  • Encourage sustainable transport in preference to the use of a car
  • Promoting a healthy lifestyle to children, staff and parents/carers
  • Taking part in national green travel schemes such as walk to school week, bike week etc

Car sharing is a viable alternative way of travelling to the nursery that can severely cut travelling costs and an individual’s personal carbon foot print. Information will be provided to parents, carers and staff that sets out how the car share schemes work and the associated benefits of using them.

  • A database will be set up based on children’s and staff’s home postcodes that will enable possible “sharers” to be identified and put in touch with each other.
  • Parents, Carers and staff will also be made aware of Central Bedfordshire’s lift share scheme: https://liftshare.com/uk/community/luton-and-central-bedfordshire that matches potential partners of drivers of passengers.

We will make staff, parents and other visitors as aware as possible of the local public transport facilities to encourage their use in preference to cars where possible.

  • Local public transport information including timetables and maps will be made available in the entrance foyer.
  • Public transport information is also available for all of our users.

Monkey Puzzle Astwick will actively promote walking and cycling as healthy and realistic alternatives to using a car.

  • Cycle parking will be installed on site at the nursery
  • Pedestrian and cycle routes to the nursery will be displayed in reception and on our website.
  • We will be holding regular Walk to Nursery promotions, with parents/carers being encouraged to walk and thereby earning their children badges and stickers
  • Promotion of nationally recognised travel planning theme days i.e. National Bike weeks to both parents and staff