Eco-School Green Flag Winner
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
Little Litter Pickers
It was during one of our daily Forest School trips that one of our Pre-School children expressed disappointment at finding litter on the ground. We decided to order some litter pickers and set out on an adventure to clean up Horsforth.
At least once a week now a small group set off around Horsforth with Litter Pickers and a bag, collecting every item of trash they see along the way. So far we have met some wonderful people who stop and thank the children. It's a wonderful way of getting exercise, meeting our locals and helping our community.
Watch the video here-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N-yULXVwjk
We're proud of our children for noticing the world around them and caring about the place they live. Would you like to help make Horsforth a cleaner place? Check out the Horsforth Litter Pickers group on facebook.
Every Cloud...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AAcMqAZlXU
I followed the children into the local woods to see what they got up to on their journey into the forest, you can watch the video on YouTube by following the link above. Unfortunately due to Covid regulations this was the last walk into the woods for a month or so, but every cloud has a silver lining. The children now have their forest school sessions on-site and it has inspired us to make the most out of what we have here.
Forest School On Site
We have added some rope swings over the stream, and a slide down to the forest school area. This week during the forest school sessions our 3 and 4 year olds have been learning how to use a pneumonic drill, they’ve made oat pancakes on the outdoor campfire and are learning how to put on their outdoor suits independently. Staying on-site during forest school has also opened up some team building opportunities and chances to talk and listen around the campfire.
‘I love every shape, every colour and every number’- James 4
It won’t be long until the children can head back into the woods, but in the mean time you’ll find them knee deep in the stream, making art against the bark of trees and mastering our new rope tyre obstacle course. Sometimes it takes a little set back to encourage you to make the absolute most out of what you already have.
