Head Start Day Nursery remains a desired eco schools nursery in Milton Keynes!

We’re celebrating Head Start Day Nursery & Preschool this week, located in Milton Keynes Village, who are thrilled to have been awarded their Eco Schools Green Flag for their second consecutive year in a row, this time with a Distinction!

This is their fourth time achieving their Eco Schools Green Flag accreditation in total! This shows true evidence that the Head Start nursery goes above and beyond to champion greener technologies, protecting nature and to teach young people about the importance of being environmentally aware.

What is the Eco-Schools award?

The Eco-Schools programme encourages young individuals in nurseries, schools and colleges to spread the message of environmental awareness in their educational setting, local community and beyond.

The organisation’s aim is to tackle environmental concerns and encourage educational settings to engage in environmental achievements and generate the next generation of responsible influencers. The Eco-Schools programme consists of a straightforward, seven-step framework that empowers children to take eco-friendly action in their schools and local communities, inspiring futures that are better for one and all!

Since 1994, the Eco-Schools company has worked with multiple educational providers to immerse themselves on one key focus of the Ten Eco-Schools Topics, which break down broad global issues into more manageable, focused themes to achieve the Green Flag accreditation in the process.

Whether it’s working with local charities such as the Woodland Trust to sustain wildlife, getting involved with the Keep Britain Tidy programme, or taking part in Forest School sessions, any action to improve environmental awareness can make a huge impact on our planet.

Head Start’s dedicated efforts and passionate leadership team

Over the past few weeks, Mrs. Lee, the Eco-Schools coordinator at Head Star Day Nursery & Preschool, together with her child led eco committee, known as ‘Eco Warriors’, have focused on three core areas of their eco-education strategy:

• Litter
• Biodiversity
• Waste

The children in the eco committee held regular meetings which prompted discussions about a wide array of activities they would like to do, both on the nursery grounds and within the broader community of Milton Keynes Village.

Their Eco-Schools coordinator has been fully impressed with the full involvement from and every child in her eco committee, focusing on the environmental areas they can change at their nursery.

Key focus on Litter, Biodiversity and Waste

To follow the Eco-Schools seven-step framework within their nursery, the children have been focusing on litter-picking around their village to tidy up their environment.

They have been participate in regular clean-up drives, educating themselves about the importance of keeping their environment clean and litter-free. These activities not only beautify the local area but also instil a sense of pride and responsibility in the children.

In terms of biodiversity, the nursery has undertaken projects such as planting native plants to attract local wildlife and to encourage other children to get fresh outside air, as well as creating habitats, such as bug hotels, for insects and small animals to help support and protect nature.

Waste management has also been a key focus, with initiatives aimed at reducing, reusing, and recycling materials within the nursery. The children have been involved in creating compost from organic waste and crafting items from recycled materials, fostering creativity and resourcefulness.

These efforts been crucial to educate young people by providing a hands-on learning experiences, while enhancing an understanding of the environment, nature and the importance of biodiversity in each and every child.

Eco-School activities in and out of nursery

The children have not only been working towards their Eco-schools Green Flag award at nursery, but at home as well, involving their parents and families in the process.

Engaging families in this green flag accreditation encourages family members to become more environmentally aware and socially responsible too, so they can support their child in their efforts, fostering a community-wide commitment to environmental stewardship across their entire network.

The Eco Warriors have been commended by the Eco-Schools committee for the variety of opportunities they have provided, encouraging attendees at the nursery to participate towards their Eco-school efforts as well.

One of the standout aspects of Head Start’s efforts has been their ability to engage the wider community. By involving parents and families in their projects, they have created a network of environmentally conscious individuals who support and contribute to their initiatives. This community involvement has been crucial in amplifying the impact of their efforts and ensuring a broader reach.

The positive impact on both the nursery and the wider community has been great, as evidenced by receiving their Green Flag award.

Carol Thorniley, Nursery Manager for Head Start in Milton Keynes, comments…

“I’m so proud of my team and our children at our Head Start Day Nursery & Preschool! This is our fourth time achieving this Eco-School Green Flag award, but I’m thrilled to receive their highest ranking, a distinction!

This is, of course, a massive testament to our team and children who dedicated weeks putting in the energy needed to achieve this award. This has been our next step towards being carbon negative and our ability to conserve energy, and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve for years to come.

My hopes that this Eco-schools programme teaches our young individuals how to be more eco-friendly and help them to be more mindful about the environment at school and beyond!”

Creating a space for nature with Grandir UK!

Caring for the environment and promoting sustainability is something we are truly passionate about at Grandir UK.

From a forest school setting to our Eco-School Green Flag accreditations, we demonstrate our commitment to this initiative in all the activities we offer at our nursery providers all across England.

We offer an ‘Environmental Aware & Responsible’ educational programme at all our nurseries and preschools, which truly embodies eco-friendly action.

Our ‘Environmental Aware & Responsible’ educational programme aims to inspire the young individuals to make informed decisions later on in life to contribute to a better world for tomorrow.

Our Sow & Grow module encourages children to spend time outside in the fresh air, while teaching them how to grow various plants and produce. This module truly embodies everything we are trying to achieve as childcare provider.

Not only does our ‘Sow & Grow’ programme teach children about growing plants, but it also fosters physical development, supporting them as they transition to school and beyond.

Well done to all the children and staff at Head Start Day Nursery for achieving your Eco-Schools Green Flag award!

A second consecutive Eco Schools Green Flag award, this time with Distinction, is a well deserved recognition of the hard work and dedication of the entire Head Start team and their young Eco Warriors.

This achievement highlights their commitment to fostering a sustainable future and sets an inspiring example for other educational institutions.

Your efforts are truly making a difference, and we look forward to seeing the continued positive impact of your eco-friendly initiatives in the future!

For more information on our Head Start Day Nursery & Preschool and the environmental programme and activities they can offer, check out their nursery page on the Grandir UK website.