Little Monkeys Day Nursery becomes a highly rated Eco-Schools nursery in Horsham!

In a time where environmental awareness is more important than ever, our Little Monkeys Day Nursery & Preschool in Horsham has achieved their Eco-School Green Flag Award with Distinction.

This is a massive testament to the nursery and preschools commitment to sustainability and environmental education, marking this a significant milestone in their ongoing efforts to foster eco-friendly practices within their community.

What is the Eco-Schools Award?

The Eco-Schools programme is a world wide organisation that encourages schools and nurseries to teach the importance of looking after the environment within their curriculum and daily activities.

The programme’s foundation is structured around a seven steps framework that guides children to make a positive impact within their wider community and home life.

These steps include forming a child led eco-committee, conducting an environmental review and creating an action plan that aligns with the ten Eco-Schools topics. The children then monitor their activities and the progress they are making within their area.

Achieving the Green Flag Award is the highest accreditation that the Eco-Schools organisation offers, and it requires children to demonstrate how they are making a difference to the planet with in their nursery or school.

What progress has the Little Monkeys Day Nursery made?

The little ones and staff team at the Little Monkeys Day Nursery & Preschool in Horsham have done amazing things to get their Eco-Schools Green Flag Accreditation!

Read on for all the details about the children’s ideas and their activities they have done to improve their nursery environment and contribute to a better world!

The passionate eco-committee

At the heart of nurseries success is their large and dedicated eco-committee.

This group of passionate individuals, composed of the staff team, children, and parents, who have gone above and beyond to protect their environment.

One of the aspects which was beloved by the Eco-Schools team, was their democratic approach to select their eco-committee members. They allowed pupils to vote for their nursery’s eco-committee members, which not only kept the process fair but also taught the children the power of using their voice to impact decisions within their nursery setting.

This strategy fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among the little ones, encouraging them to be more involved within the nursery’s Eco-Schools work.

The Eco-Schools team were impressed with how well the nursery maintained meeting minutes in a neat and professional way that provided an insightful glimpse into the committee’s thorough discussions and strategic action plan.

Their nursery environmental review

The nursery provided a comprehensive environmental review that allowed the Eco-Committee to recognise the positive changes the nursery had already made and identify areas of improvement for the future.

The comments and reflections recorded during the environmental review were particularly insightful! They provided a wonderful window into the thoughtful and engaged discussions that took place as the Eco-Committee worked through their review. These comments showcased the committee’s deep understanding of environmental issues and their commitment to continuous improvement.

Community engagement

One of the most impressive aspects of Little Monkeys Day Nursery & Preschool’s Eco-Schools journey has been their ability to engage with a wider community.

This year, they have collaborated with numerous local organisations, enhancing their environmental initiatives and extending their impact. A standout example of their community engagement is their work with Horsham Matters, an organisation dedicated to helping local people in need.

This partnership not only supports the community but also reinforces the nursery’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainability. To be able to engage other community members in their Eco-Schools work is undoubtedly one of their biggest strengths, placing them at the heart of an environmental movement in their local area.

Reaching out to the Government

As a part of their eco action plan, the eco-committee reached out to their local Member of Parliament (MP) regarding pressing environmental issues in Government, a true showcase of their dedication to this cause.

By engaging with policymakers, they are advocating for sustainable policies and encouraging national leaders to champion environmental causes. This level of advocacy highlights the committee’s unwavering commitment to creating positive impacts not only within their nursery and local community but also on a broader scale.

Alice Jackson, Nursery Manager at Little Monkeys Day Nursery & Preschool in Horsham, says…

“I’m over the moon to get our Eco-Schools Green Flag Award, and with a distinction!

The children, team and I have worked hard to include the Eco-Schools accreditation criteria within our teaching so our children have all the knowledge they need to make positive environmental changes later on in life. After all, we are shaping the generation or thinkers, leaders and creators.

I want to thank my team for making these activities fun and enjoyable for the children, our parents who helped contribute to this achievement, and of course the children who’s dedication to environmental learning allowed us to get this award.

Let’s create a better future for one and all!”

Congratulations to the whole Little Monkeys team!

This has been a remarkable journey for the Little Monkeys Day Nursery & Preschool in Horsham. Their dedication over the last few weeks has resulted in them achieving the Eco-School Green Flag Award with the highest possible grade, a Distinction.

Their Eco-Committee, has created an outstanding action plan, review, eco-code and has engaged the wider community within their efforts. We are filled with so much pride of our Little Monkeys Day Nursery & Preschool, and hope they will inspire other educational providers to follow suite.

Join our Little Monkeys Day Nursery & Preschool in Horsham today!

Grandir UK owns many fantastic day nurseries and preschools across the whole of England. If you are within the Horsham area and are looking for childcare provider, look no further than our Little Monkeys Day Nursery & Preschool!

For more information on our Little Monkeys Day Nursery & Preschool, check out their nursery page on the Grandir UK website, or book a visit to see the nursery and preschool first hand by contacting our helpful Parent Engagement Team today!