Sustainability | Thorney 1

Our Green Journey

Sustainability is all about looking after the world around us so that future generations can enjoy it too. It means making choices today that don’t use up all our resources or harm the environment but instead help nature to grow and thrive. At our nursery, we want the children to see that even small actions like recycling, planting seeds, or switching off lights can make a big difference for the future.

Everyday Choices

We are making simple changes in our daily routines that help save energy and reduce waste:

Saying goodbye to single-use plastics where we can.
Using bright, child-friendly recycling bins so everyone knows where things go.
Repurposing and reusing recyclable materials for art and craft projects.
Encouraging every child to bring their own reusable water bottle.
Choosing milk from local farms to support nearby suppliers and cut down on transport.
Lights that switch off automatically when there’s no movement in the room, saving energy every day.
Composting, having a compost bin for food waste, teaching about decomposition and creating soil for our gardens.
Waste audits to identify areas for reduction and track progress.

These little steps not only protect the environment but also teach children that caring for the planet is part of everyday life.

Biodiversity – Nature, Growing & Wildlife

Our garden is quickly becoming a home for plants, insects, birds, and even hedgehogs. The children are discovering that when we care for nature, it rewards us with beauty, food, and endless curiosity. Some of our upcoming and current projects include:

Planting vegetables and herbs in raised beds, including a sensory herb garden where children can smell and touch the leaves — and even use them in food and play.
Collecting seeds from this year’s flowers, like poppies, and sowing them for next spring.
Taking cuttings from a passionflower plant to see if we can grow more.
Planting conkers to watch new life begin.
Creating colourful flower displays by planting blooms in old wellington boots.
Building bug hotels from natural materials we find in the garden.
Making a cosy hedgehog house and putting up bird feeders to welcome new visitors.
Growing wildflowers to attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Using our water butt to keep plants healthy
Using eggshells and coffee grounds as natural deterrents to plant eating insects
Making a scarecrow from recyclable materials

Our outdoor space is becoming a living classroom, full of sights, sounds, smells, and experiences for children to explore.

Learning & Community

We believe that sustainability isn’t just important — it’s exciting. Our Green Policy helps guide us, but the real learning comes through hands-on projects and the children’s own ideas.

Whether it’s sowing seeds, smelling herbs, or using the recycling bin lids with a smile, children are learning to care for their world in fun, practical ways.

We also love involving parents and our local community. Donations of useful items, from plant pots to scrap wood, help us bring our eco projects to life. Together, we’re showing children that when everyone does their bit, amazing things can grow.

Come Along With Us

Our green journey is just beginning, and there’s so much more we’d like to try. With every seed we plant, every flower we water, and every light we save, we are helping to create a brighter, greener future for our children.

We’d love you to join us — one small step at a time.