CHILDCARE CENTRES – SUSTAINABLE LIVING LEADERS
Many childcare centres are implementing the type of sustainable practices that they know are vital for a child to carry into their future. They realise that there is fast approaching a time when, at a minimum, self-sustainable living is no longer an anomaly relegated to communes and rural areas but a necessity no matter where you live – and that time is within the life of the children they care for.
While many of us adults are worrying about uncertain times, the children get this moment to be taught how exciting the future can be. This is an adventure. For a large part of the planet there has been an awakening and a worldwide mobilisation to take on and overcome the great environmental dilemmas that we face.
It seems that by and large early childhood educators in Australia are putting their hands up as leaders in this revolutionary movement. They get that it is the children that they teach and care for who will ultimately benefit from their pro-activity or suffer the consequences of inaction.
Not only is this focus on teaching sustainable practices coming from a sense of concern for the future of the children under their care, but it is now a part of the standards contained within the framework of the early learning qualifying courses and in the operations of a centre.
If any business can show the variety of challenges faced in becoming sustainable it is a childcare centre. Take the consumables a typical parent uses for young ones and then times it by many more. Nappies, wet-wipes, band-aids, paper towels and so on. There’s also water usage in centre cleaning, washing machines, dishwashing, waterplay etc. Then there is lighting, air-conditioning, fans, ovens, televisions and more that consume energy.
All over Australia, childcare centres are stepping up and taking on the challenge. You’ll find centres upcycling discarded material for everything from art projects to playground equipment. Centres are installing rainwater tanks. Gardens with vegetables, herbs and fruits are commonplace.
Chickens and other animals have become residents of many centres.
Lately, through solar energy system installation, (including solar panels and batteries,) many centres are:
- Lowering their energy bills (a good solar energy system can lead to a centre using less grid provided electricity than the average household,)
- Preparing for self-sufficiency when the grid is down with solar battery installation,
- Lessening their negative environmental impact and,
- Using the opportunity to teach the children in their care about renewable energy and preparing them for a time in the near future when such a thing will be overwhelmingly commonplace.
With the Queensland State Government investing heavily in renewable energy and announcing a goal to have 50% of the state’s energy coming from renewable sources by 2030, there are a number of pathways that have been created to allow homes, businesses and yes, childcare centres to get on board with solar installation. Many childcare centres are quickly getting on board this vehicle of energy reformation and as a result are reaping the many benefits.
This article was brought to you by enewabl, the renewable energy experts. If you would like a no obligation consultation, please get a hold of us now. The decision to invest in a power system is major and should not be taken lightly. The enewabl team will not push any sales, but they will present the best option to you, taking all the variables into consideration – variables such as solar size, power use, family size, solar age, power prices, location and more.
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