Reducing energy consumption and embedding sustainable practices into services has resulted in the team at Goodstart Joondalup winning Goodstart's national sustainability award.
Using funds from a Telstra grant, the team set up a worm farm, added a rainwater tank and adopted a pet rabbit which eats fruit and vegetables scraps from the kitchen.
Herbs and vegetables have been planted and are used in the centre's meals which are prepared for the children, and given to families to take home.
Centre director Nicole Jeffrey-Forward said her team had increased the quality and richness of the physical environment by allowing the children more access to natural elements.
"We've got edible plants, fragrant plants and natural textures such as wood and bamboo. We've managed to deepen the children's engagement in the environment and sustain their attention to allow for richer learning experiences," Ms Jeffrey-Forward said.
The National Goodstart Awards are held every year, and 452 entries were received in 2016. Seventy state winners were selected across a range of categories, with 14 national winners making the grade.
Using funds from a Telstra grant, the team set up a worm farm, added a rainwater tank and adopted a pet rabbit which eats fruit and vegetables scraps from the kitchen.
Herbs and vegetables have been planted and are used in the centre's meals which are prepared for the children, and given to families to take home.
Centre director Nicole Jeffrey-Forward said her team had increased the quality and richness of the physical environment by allowing the children more access to natural elements.
"We've got edible plants, fragrant plants and natural textures such as wood and bamboo. We've managed to deepen the children's engagement in the environment and sustain their attention to allow for richer learning experiences," Ms Jeffrey-Forward said.
The National Goodstart Awards are held every year, and 452 entries were received in 2016. Seventy state winners were selected across a range of categories, with 14 national winners making the grade.