12/11/2025
๐๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐
Because of our settingโs location, right at the doorstep of a special area of conservation and by the sea, a lrge part of our curriculum has always been nature-based with hands-on-experiences as our primary tools to build the childrenโs awareness of the world aroun them and their place in it.
Coupled with this, we, the teachers, have also thrived to model the right behaviour to teach children how to become pro-active in caring for their planet and all creatures in it. Because we can champion a concept without adopting it ourselves . We canโt champion our care for a community if we simply disregard the daily ordinary acts that we take. Children learn by copying wht they see.
And with that in mind, this is why our setting uses recycled materials like cardboard, scallop shells, shells, pine cones, for our arts and crafts. Or why 80% of the materials we use is made of wood. Or why we make sure the children learn to compost their waste, or separate it between compost, general waste and recyce. Or why we teach them about friends and vegetables that are in season. Why we encourage parents to provide food with less plastic packaging, or teach children about the importance of water or use eco-friendly cleaning products.
The past 2 years, since the EU commission introduced a ban on glitter, weโve been using biodegradable glitter. Yes, it is more expensive. But if we are to teach by example, it had to be done. It may not sound much but everyting counts when we come to understand how our behaviours have such devastated impact on our oceans. David Attenborough in Planet Blue II made it very clear: it is our responsibility to act now. Microplastic (this is what glitter is) not only harm the environment and wildlife but it is making its way up trough the food chain: the food we eat and the water we drink. It is not something we can simply ignore just because it doesnโt suit us. It affects us now too.
We recognize that this journey is continuous. We, as teachers and managers, are always learning as we go, and there is plenty of room for improvement in our practices. We remain willing to adapt, to research new materials, and to challenge ourselves constantly because we know that the health of the planet demands humility and flexibility.
Comprehensive care is possible. We are proving, right here at the Guilletots, that mindful living is not a burden but a foundation for joy and discovery. The joy on a childโs face when they use a recycled item to create something new, or the pride in their eyes when they correctly sort the rubbish, proves the value of this commitment. Our children are ready, and we are confident they will carry this mantle of responsibility to create a healthier, greener future for themselves and for all creatures.
