We are proud to announce we have been accredited the Green Flag plaque and International Eco-Schools Award Certificate thanks to the hard work of Tara leading our Eco-School Team, our children and their grown ups. Thank you also to Penny Pinn who has given up her free time to train our staff in composting, and thank you to Leeds FoodWise and Compost Collective.

‘Awarded for excellence in improving sustainability and environmental learning in our setting.’

So what exactly have we been doing in our nursery to win this award?

• With the help of Compost Collective we had 3 compost bins installed, which we are now excited to share with West End Primary school. The staff and children have been taking home compost caddies to fill up at home and bring in to compost to do our bit to combat climate change.
• We have been doing the battery challenge, taking in used batteries from the nursery and the community to recycle properly.
• Our Nursery have donated items to the food bank and our pre-school children have taken it to the Horsforth Community Cafe and even helped unpack and prepare.
• We took part in the big bird watch.
• We do seasonal clothes swap events
• The Forest School and our ethos we continue to teach the children to respect nature, look after our planet and be resilient in all weathers.

What they said about us

‘You have used environmental issues to enrich learning and increase engagement with learning in your nursery and this is something to be very proud of. Your Eco-Committee have used a wide variety of methods to inform their school community about their work including fortnightly newsletters, social media and community links with Friends of Hunger Hill Woods, this shows they take pride in their achievements and are working hard to involve and educate all around them.

You have worked with a variety of different individuals and organisations, relying on their expertise and passion to enrich and inform your Eco-Schools journey. No doubt this was a mutually beneficial experience for all, as these individuals and organisations must have also been inspired by your dedicated Eco-Committee.

We especially loved reading how the young people have impacted on their local environment by helping in the Community Cafe. From the quote provided, parents are clearly appreciative of all your environmental efforts. Staff members should be proud that you have provided young people with a good awareness of environmental issues and strong foundations for them to build on as they progress to school and hopefully continue their journey as environmentalists.

You’ve made an incredible impact in your nursery and local community and serve as inspiration to all. Congratulations on earning the Eco-Schools’ Green Flag with Merit.’

We are very proud of our eco journey so far, but this is simply the beginning. In the meantime keep bringing in your compost caddies and check out and sign up to the Horsforth Climate Action Newsletter here- https://www.climateactionleeds.org.uk/newsletter

If you don’t do so already please feel free to take home your own compost caddy, which you can bring in when full and leave at the pre-school gate for the children to empty.

-Nathalie