Elements and Performance Criteria
- Elements define the essential outcomes.
- Develop a sustainability management plan
- Identify aspects of sustainability in the service
- Consider areas of potential change in all aspects of the service’s delivery and environments
- Ensure that nature, waste, energy and toxins have been considered
- Identify areas where change can be instigated to enhance environmental sustainability and increase children’s connection with nature, in consultation with children
- Develop strategies to address these areas of change in consultation with children
- Implement strategies and evaluate outcomes
- Support children to develop an understanding and respect for the natural environment
- Provide children with a wide range of natural and recycled materials in their indoor and outdoor environments
- Create opportunities to discuss with children the natural environment and the interdependence between people, plants, animals and the land
- Role-model respect, care and appreciation for the natural and constructed environments
- Share information and provide children with access to resources about the environment and the impact of human activities on environments
- Create spaces that promote the development of life skills, such as growing and preparing food, waste reduction and recycling
- Encourage children to exchange thoughts and ideas about sustainable practice through intentional teaching, learning experiences and projects
- Explore ethical dilemmas of waste disposal for sustainability with all stakeholders
- Support others in implementing sustainable practice
- Embed sustainability into service policies and procedures
- Review the service philosophy, policies and procedures in relation to sustainable practice
- Identify areas of potential change in the service philosophy, policies and procedures
- Discuss with stakeholders any identified areas of potential change
- Finalise changes after agreement with appropriate stakeholders