Sustainability at Lilly Brook

My name is Eireann and I am the sustainability champion for Lilly Brook Preschool. Below I will explain more about my role and our sustainability plans at Lilly Brook Preschool.

Earth Paintings

Children used green and blue paint on paper plates to create their own representations of the Earth. As they painted, adults encouraged conversation about where we live and the world around us, helping children begin to understand that we are part of a much bigger planet.
The activity provided opportunities to talk about the land and water that make up our world, the different places where people and animals live, and why it is important to care for the Earth. We discussed some of the things we need to protect, including plants, animals, oceans, rivers and the environments we all share.
Through this creative experience, children were encouraged to think about how their own actions can help to care for our planet. Simple conversations around not dropping litter, recycling, saving water and looking after nature helped make the concept of environmental responsibility meaningful and relevant to their everyday lives.
This activity supported children's Understanding of the World, while also developing creativity, fine motor skills, communication and language. Most importantly, it helped children begin to understand that the world is our home, and we all have a part to play in protecting it.

Recycled Elmer Elephants

Giving Milk Bottles a New Life
As part of Environment Club, children explored how everyday items that might normally be thrown away can be reused and transformed into something new. We collected empty milk bottles and invited the children to decorate them using colourful squares of tissue paper and glue.
As children worked, we talked about recycling, reusing and reducing waste, helping them understand that not everything we no longer need has to go straight into the bin. The milk bottles became a practical example of how we can give materials a second life rather than using new resources to create something from scratch.
The children developed their fine motor skills as they picked up, positioned and glued individual pieces of tissue paper, while making independent choices about colours, patterns and designs. The process also encouraged creativity, concentration and perseverance.
The activity provided a natural opportunity to discuss where our rubbish goes, why we recycle and how reusing objects can help protect our environment. By experiencing this rather than simply being told about it, children began to develop an understanding that their everyday choices can contribute to caring for our planet.
This experience supported Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design and Physical Development, while nurturing the beginnings of environmental responsibility.
“Before we throw something away, can we give it another life?”

Sustainability Champion Role

Environment Club

Sustainability action Plan

Environment Club is the name we give to our weekly sessions dedicated to helping children develop a positive relationship with the natural world and an early understanding of environmental responsibility.

Through playful, practical and child-centred experiences, we explore topics such as conservation, recycling, sustainability, caring for nature, reducing waste and climate change. We believe that environmental awareness can begin from the earliest years, and that children are more likely to develop a lasting connection with the world around them when they are given opportunities to experience, question, explore and make a difference themselves.

Our sessions may include growing plants and vegetables, exploring where food comes from, sorting and recycling materials, reusing everyday objects, caring for wildlife, investigating our local environment, reducing waste and learning about how our choices can affect the planet.

We follow the children's interests, questions and natural curiosity, allowing them to lead conversations and investigations. Rather than presenting environmental issues as something frightening or overwhelming, we focus on hope, responsibility and positive action — helping children understand that even small actions can make a difference.

Environment Club supports children to develop:

🌱 A connection with and respect for nature
♻️ An early understanding of recycling and reducing waste
🌍 Awareness of the wider world and our shared environment
🐝 Care and respect for plants, animals and living things
💧 Understanding of how we can look after natural resources
🔎 Curiosity, questioning and critical thinking
🤝 Responsibility and cooperation
💚 A sense of agency — understanding that their actions matter

Growing Conscious Humans

Our aim is not simply to teach children about climate change or recycling, but to help them develop the attitudes and values that will support them to become conscious, compassionate and responsible members of society.

We want children to grow up understanding that they are part of a much bigger world and that caring for ourselves, each other and our planet are all connected.

“Small hands can make a big difference. We are nurturing a generation who understand that caring for our world begins with the choices we make every day.”