Sustainability and Climate Action Plan

Cultivating Little Guardians of the Earth

At Cygnets Preschool, we believe that big changes start with small hands. We are dedicated to creating a sustainable learning environment where children, families, and staff work together to care for our planet. By weaving climate awareness into our daily play and routines, we help our children grow into confident, eco-conscious citizens.

Why focus on Sustainability in the Early Years?

  • STEM for the Future: We harness children’s natural curiosity to build skills in science, technology, engineering, and math—laying the foundation for the "green jobs" of tomorrow.

  • A Love for Nature: We foster a deep respect for the environment, helping children understand their place in the natural world.

  • A Better World for All: Our commitment goes beyond the garden gate; we support global goals to reduce inequality, improve health, and protect our planet’s future.

Adaptation and Resilience

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Decarbonisation

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Biodiversity

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Climate Education

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Adaptation and Resilience ✳︎ Decarbonisation ✳︎ Biodiversity ✳︎ Climate Education ✳︎

Decarbonisation & Energy (The “Footprint”)

Goal:

Reduce the energy and resources used during operational hours.

  • Ensuring electrical points are turned off when not in use

  • Purchasing items that are more energy efficient

  • Setting the thermostat to a lower temperature

  • Staff and pupils are encouraged to wear warmer clothing

  • Closing doors and windows when heating is on

  • Ensuring the heating is not in use in warmer weather

  • Minimising waste through recycling, food waste and general waste being collected separately

  • Recycling second-hand toys and equipment, rather than purchasing new

  • Sharing second-hand uniform with other pupils

  • Pupils and staff using re-usable water bottles 

  • Having no packaging waste at lunchtime

  • Reducing food waste by educating pupils to take what they need

  • Using LED lighting in the preschool

Adaptation and Resilience (The “Future”)

Goal:

Keeping children safe and comfortable as the climate changes.

  • Using daily outdoor experiences to enhance children’s connection to nature and the outdoors

  • Educating the children about the wider world, habitats, the world we live in and how to look after it as part of our curriculum

  • Educating the children on weather and climate change

  • Observing seasonal changes

  • Educating children on water conservation through teeth cleaning, reusable water bottles and washing hands

  • Reusing water from activities to water the plants

  • Using eco-friendly, recycled or donated resources where possible​​​

Biodiversity & Nature (The “Grounds”)

Goal:

Increase children's connection to the natural world in your outdoor space.

  • Planning for days within our curriculum that promote environmental initiatives and teach the children how to care for the environment, nature and all living things, preserving the world around us

  • Planting and growing flowers, fruits and vegetables 

  • Using unavoidable food waste for compost

Climate Education (The “Curriculum”), Community & Families

Goals:

Weave sustainability into the "Understanding the World" area:

Extending the impact beyond the preschool gate.

  • Water from the sky is a gift for the flowers.

  • Regularly planning activities and learning opportunities for climate education

  • Using age-appropriate texts to help educate pupils

  • Providing activities around nature regularly

  • Educating pupils on our impact on the world

  • Uniform/toy exchange

  •  Active sustainable travel (scooting/walking to school")

Develop knowledge and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)

At Cygnets, we harness children’s passion and enable them to develop knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) that are required for green jobs of the future. STEM is fundamentally an opportunity for children to explore, challenge and understand what they sense around them. Promoting STEM will only further the development in children as they learn to navigate the world around them. As the world is changing, it is only right that we encourage children to begin their climate education, learn more about sustainability and start developing their green skills to support with their future.

We are proud to align with the Department for Education’s sustainability strategy and the UK’s Net Zero goals. Through decarbonisation, biodiversity, and hands-on climate education, we aren’t just teaching—we’re leading by example. The strategy states we must provide children with practical opportunities to “increase climate resilience, reduce carbon impact and enhance biodiversity,” which will enable children to take positive action to improve their community and their planet.

We all have a responsibility to sustainability – an appreciation of our relationship with the environment, a respect for the world around us and the greater order of nature. The aim is to end poverty, improve health and education for all as lifelong learners, reduce societal inequalities and develop a sustainable economic growth. Our planet needs us to be environmental and ecological advocates, and what better place to start than the Early Years.