At Cranbrook, sustainability is woven into everyday learning, helping children understand how their actions today shape the world of tomorrow.
We introduce sustainability in the early years by encouraging children to care for their environment, use resources thoughtfully, reduce waste, and appreciate the natural world around them. We embrace the use of recycled, reclaimed, and natural items, inspiring children to be creators rather than consumers.
Through hands-on exploration, outdoor experiences, and meaningful conversations, children learn to value the beauty of our planet and develop respect for it. By nurturing these early attitudes, we are helping to raise responsible, environmentally conscious young citizens who are empowered to make positive choices.
Introducing sustainability
from the start
Research shows that introducing sustainability in early childhood strengthens children’s environmental understanding and behaviors, reinforcing the importance of embedding these values from the very beginning of their learning journey.
Case study: Buttercup Barn – Sustainability in Everyday Practice
At Buttercup Barn, sustainability is part of everyday nursery life and shared meaningfully with the children through hands-on experiences. Our chickens help children learn to care for animals while providing fresh eggs, with food leftovers and eggshells recycled through our wormery to create compost for our allotment. The allotment then supplies fresh produce for our on-site chef, helping children understand the journey from waste to food.
Our commitment to the natural environment is recognised through our Woodland Trust Green Tree Schools Awards, and we have proudly received Bronze (October 2024), Silver (May 2025) and Gold (August 2025). This reflects time spent learning in our woodland and has included researching native trees and planting over 225 trees within the community.
We also make thoughtful environmental choices across the nursery, including energy-efficient LED lighting, collecting rainwater for outdoor play, and encouraging practical life skills that promote responsibility and respect for resources. Our allotment work has been recognised locally, receiving the Super Seedling Award in 2022 and Most Productive Allotment in 2023. Through these experiences, we nurture environmentally aware children who are learning to care for the world around them.
Case study: Ivy Cottage – Journey into Sustainability Award
Ivy Cottage is proud to have achieved The Curiosity Approach® Journey into Sustainability Award, recognising our commitment to embedding meaningful, eco-conscious practice throughout our nursery. From installing water butts to collect rainwater, creating a thriving compost wormery, and establishing child-led recycling stations, to introducing energy-saving roles within the rooms, sustainability has become an active part of daily life.