Environment & Sustainability

The staff and Committee of Management at Clifton Street CC are committed to taking an active role in caring for the environment and in cultivating curiosity in, and respect for, the natural world among children at the Centre, thereby promoting and contributing to a sustainable future.

We recognise that we have a responsibility to do all we can minimise the environmental footprint of our service.

Even more importantly, we seek to embed a love of nature within the children so that they grow to understand our place within a broader natural ecosystem –  inspiring and empowering them at a young age to contribute towards a healthy and sustainable society and planet.

For our youngest children this can be as simple as allowing ample opportunity to explore the natural world around them with a fluid indoor/outdoor environment and encouragement to engage in messy nature-play.

As children get older, they are involved in watering the Centre veggie patches, taking food scraps to compost and recycling classroom materials. Incursions – such as the Buzz and Dig bee workshop – offer additional excitement and opportunity for extended learning.

Embedding sustainability at the Centre is an ongoing commitment and we are continually scanning for ways to improve our practices. ‘Sustainability Champions’ in our rooms monitor and encourage sustainable practices and identify opportunities for improvement.

Minimising our environmental footprint

Actions taken to minimise our environmental footprint include the following:

• The bulk of Clifton Street CC’s electricity needs are satisfied through a 15kW solar system, with the remainder of the Centre’s electricity being GreenPower purchased from a retailer (100% renewable energy);

• Wet bags have been rolled-out across Clifton Street CC to minimise the use of plastic bags for the management of soiled clothing;

• In 2015, a new ultra-efficient electric hot water system was installed and our lighting was upgraded from fluorescent tubes to LEDs; In early 2023 we upgraded our LEDs to more efficient tubes.

• Fruit and vegetables are purchased from the Preston Market to support local traders and farmers;

• The Centre holds regular ‘Working Bees’ where parents and kids are invited to assist in the maintenance of the grounds to encourage a sense of community and custodianship for the Centre’s outdoor play and learning environment.

• The Centre is focused on resource use through recycling and composting programs, and simple actions such as turning off light switches and taps.

Family Involvements

Clifton Street CC’s Sustainability Sub-committee sits within the Committee of Management. We work closely with staff and educators in all that we do. In fact, they are the force that makes sustainable practices a reality!

If you have any ideas on how to improve the Centre’s environmental sustainability or would like to get involved, we would love to hear from you. The Sustainability Sub-committee can be contacted on [email protected].