The Giving Tree’s Green Statement

The Giving Tree believes strongly in the following environmental principles:

• It is in the early childhood years that the foundations are laid for the development of environmentally responsible adults. That we play an important role in teaching our children to honor life and the wonders the world holds.
• That The Giving Tree’s day-to-day activities have an important impact on the local and global environment, and that the health and well being of the environment and ourselves is closely linked.  

Our curriculum will look to incorporate the following age appropriate activities for learning about the world from different perspectives, so that they may develop a greater understanding, appreciation, and respect for the world around them;

• Planet Earth and Beyond - Age appropriate discussions and activities about our planet, including working theories about the living world and knowledge of how to care for it.
• My World Community – Introduction of theories about social relationships and social concepts as well as stories from different cultures about the living world.
• Earth and its Elements – developing an understanding of the nature and properties of a range of elements (includes water play).
• Earth Skills – Learning to love and appreciate the earth and its life giving abilities through seasonal planting of crops.
• From Junk to Art – Teaching children about recycling by using recycled common household items in their art activities. (Parent’s are encouraged to bring any and all boxes, bottles, containers, toilet paper rolls, etc. No small pieces and ensure all items are cleaned and have no sharp or pointed edges).
• Captain Earth’s Kids – A series of discussions and activities to develop respect and a sense of responsibility for the well-being of both the living and the non-living environment.  

The Giving Tree is committed to ensuring its operations are environmentally responsible and has set the following criteria for its operations:

• Materials, Supplies, & Services - The Giving Tree will where at all possible, purchase items produced in ways which do the least possible environmental harm, are not supplied with excessive packaging, and which are locally or regionally produced. Art supplies will be all non-toxic and purchased where possible locally or regionally. Organizations representing the diversity of the population (such as people with disabilities, ethnic minority groups, women) will be actively sought out and/or encouraged to bid as suppliers.
• Food – The Giving Tree will where at all possible and while ensuring the optimal nutrition for its children, support local organic farmers by providing locally organically grown fruits veggies. No plastic dishes or cups will be used when feeding children.
• Facilities Cleaning & Maintenance - The Giving Tree will use cleaning products based on environmental considerations as well as cost and suitability, and will where ate all possible and appropriate seek out non-chemical alternatives. It will monitor its working practices with a view to administering dosages so as to reduce the risk of over concentration and excess residue of unused cleaning mixtures.
• Waste Reduction / Recycling - The Giving Tree strongly supports recycling both internally and externally using community based recycling programs. The Giving Tree will seek to minimize its generation of waste by reduction of purchased materials where this does not compromise its primary functions.
• Energy - The Giving Tree is environmentally responsible for its use of energy, and will therefore consider the sources, type, origin and destination of energy input and output throughout the School. Energy efficient lighting throughout its facilities. Fans are preferred (though each room is equipped with air conditioners to ensure an optimal environment for the children).