In 2009-10, Woollahra Pre School was selected to participate in the year long Little Green Steps project. Little Green Steps aimed to create sustainable children’s centres.

What was the Little Green Steps Program?

Little Green Steps takes a practical approach to environmental education for the under fives. Children learned through hands-on education, observation and participation. Families were involved through hands on implementation, meetings, sustainability workshops, newsletters and displays. The project also involved conducting environmental audits, developing environmental management plans for the centres, professional development for early childhood professionals and the creation of environmental education resource kits - including environmentally themed children’s books, large laminated photos, educational activities and more.

Program Aims

The Little Green Steps program aimed to foster:

• the adoption of positive sustainable habits and views by the children
• behavioural change amongst centre staff and parent
• a reduction in energy, water, waste, toxins and resource consumption
• appreciation of the value of nature
• networks to share resources, experiences and knowledge
• increased sustainability in children’s centres’ operations and services
• quality sustainability education, targeted to young children.

Little Green Steps was originally developed by Wyong and Gosford Councils in 2004. Canterbury, Hurstville, Leichhardt, Waverley and Woollahra Councils partnered to successfully gain funding from the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust to run this project in Sydney.

Little Green Steps Case Study (PDF, 6.4 MB)