Kindergarten wins gold for environmental achievements

A Canterbury kindergarten is celebrating after becoming the first early childhood education provider in New Zealand to be awarded Enviroschools' prestigious Green-Gold status.

Kidsfirst Kindergartens Lincoln has worked hard to accomplish exemplary sustainability practices, and Head Teacher Jeanne Williams says she's thrilled their efforts have paid off.

"It's been a long journey and we're incredibly proud of our teachers, children and parents," says Jeanne, "We believe it's important to show our children and the community that they can make a positive difference by looking after our environment for future generations.

"It makes such a difference to a child's outlook and sense of environmental responsibility if you instil these values at an early age."

Jeanne says the Enviroschools judges praised the kindergarten for the sense of ownership and belonging the children feel towards sustainable initiatives.

"The children are a part of the process, and we actively encourage them to think about different ways in which we can improve our systems to lessen our impact upon the environment - from worm farms to 'wrap-free' lunchboxes, they've seen the little things make a big difference."

Kidsfirst Lincoln became an Enviroschool in 2003 when they signed up to a Canterbury-wide pilot study with a group of Kidsfirst Kindergartens. The Enviroschools programme was originally intended for schools - but Kidsfirst saw the merits of the initiative, and signed-up too.

"Apart from the environmental benefits, which are hugely important, the programme teaches our children fundamental life skills, says Kidsfirst Chief Executive, Sherryll Wilson, "It shows children their place in the world - it teaches them to take notice of their environment and to ask questions, to think about better ways to do things and to implement change."

The Enviroschools programme is a nationwide initiative running in up to 680 schools across 15 regions throughout New Zealand. Kidsfirst Kindergartens was the country's first early childhood education provider to sign up to the programme. To meet the high Green-Gold standards, Kidsfirst Lincoln had to promote environmentally ethical practices to physically and visibly improve their kindergarten environment.

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