Sustainability
Sustainability is a core focus for BestStart, with many of our centres incorporating sustainable and eco-friendly practices into their curriculum.
Teaching Kaitiakitanga and showing children how they can be sustainable from an early age will help them embed these practices into their lives as they grow and can also teach whānau new ways to be sustainable at home.In terms of what this means for children, simple things such as reusing items for a different purpose (e.g., milk bottle tops can make great wheels for play!) learning about recycling and composting and using water mindfully are all small but mighty steps in teaching children about sustainability. 1
Our centres include teaching children about the natural environments around them and learning how to conserve these. This might include excursions to see places of local importance such as wetlands or rivers and identifying wildlife and birds within these.
Teaching children about the natural environments around them and how to conserve these not only instils a sense of responsibility, but also lays the foundation for a more sustainable future. By fostering a connection with nature at an early age, children are more likely to grow up with a deep appreciation for the environment and a desire to protect it.
BestStart has a commitment to continuing within this space, with our ‘Kaitiaki of sustainable futures’ initiative. This is gradually being incorporated, and involves centres working through three tiers;
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Whangai Awhinatanga - Establishing
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Setting plans for how sustainability will inform teaching and learning’
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Whakau Kaitiakitanga - Embedding
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Seeing evidence of the planning from tier 1 stage moving into practice with sustainability embedded in planning, assessment and children’s learning stories.
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Whakawhanake Tino rangatiratanga - Sustaining
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Evidence of commitment to sustainability practices being seen across the centre, with sustained involvement of whānau and community in this work.
Look out for the Kaitiaki badges on centre ‘what we are proud of’ sections.
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