Sustainability Strategy Group - Resources
Introduction - Shaping Tomorrow, Today
In 2015, the United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These 17 interconnected goals recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability. For those of us in the Early Years sector, these goals aren’t just abstract concepts; they are the foundation of the world our children will inherit. From promoting Quality Education (Goal 4) to fostering Responsible Consumption (Goal 12), practitioners play a vital role in embedding these values into the hearts and minds of the next generation. The Purpose of This Page This resource hub has been designed specifically for practitioners who want to move from "knowing" to "doing." We understand that your time is precious and the curriculum is full. Our goal is to provide: Practical Frameworks: Clear guides on how the SDGs translate to Early Years settings. Actionable Tips: Small, high-impact changes for your daily practice—from biodiversity in outdoor play to reducing single-use plastics. Curated Resources: A hand-picked selection of toolkits, activity ideas, and research to support your professional development. A Collaborative Voice: Sharing best practices from across the ECSDN community to inspire and empower. Sustainability is not an "add-on" to the curriculum; it is the lens through which we view our future. We invite you to explore, share, and lead the way in making sustainable development a lived reality for every child.
Downloadable/Printable Resources
Sustainable Steps: Activity Ideas for Your Setting
Bringing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into your daily practice doesn’t require a complete curriculum overhaul or a massive budget. In fact, some of the most profound lessons in sustainability happen during a muddy walk, a snack-time conversation, or a trip to the recycling bin. The ideas showcased in the carousel below are designed to be: High Impact: Rooted in the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies, these activities foster long-term empathy and global citizenship. Simple to Prepare: We know how busy your days are. These suggestions use everyday resources and the natural environment around you. Highly Adaptable: Whether you are in a forest school, a pack-away setting, or a large nursery, these ideas can be scaled to suit your unique space and the age of your children. Please Note: These are merely starting points! Sustainability is a journey of continuous curiosity. We see these as "seeds" for you to plant and grow within your own setting’s culture. We Want to Hear From You! The ECSDN thrives on the shared wisdom of our community. Have you run a brilliant "Zero Waste" craft session? Do you have a unique way of teaching children about biodiversity? We invite you to contribute your own ideas to this hub. By sharing what works in your setting, you help empower practitioners across the country to take their next sustainable step.
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Little Steps - Big Futures:
A Sustainability Strategy Group Podcast
Sustainability is as much about conversation as it is about action. Our monthly podcast, Little Steps - Big Futures, brings together the leading voices in the sector to explore how we can bridge the gap between global goals and daily pedagogy. Each episode is a 30-minute deep dive featuring: Sustainability Experts: Breaking down the "why" behind environmental and social justice. Early Childhood Leaders: Sharing their journey of transforming settings and curricula. The Voice of the Future: Insights from students and early-career researchers who are bringing fresh perspectives to the field. More than just a talk show, every episode concludes with "The Practitioner’s Toolkit"—clear, actionable guidance on how to weave the themes discussed into your own teaching practice and setting management. New Episode Every Month: Whether you’re a student, a childminder, or a nursery manager, join us as we explore what it means to grow a sustainable future, one conversation at a time.
Your Hosts:
Kerrie Lee - SSG Co-Chair
Angela Scollan - SSG Co -Chair
A Sustainability Strategy Group Blog
Welcome to our blog—a space for deeper reflection on the intersection of early childhood and sustainable development. While our podcast brings you voices from the field, our blog is where we dive into the "how" and the "why" of sustainable pedagogy in more detail. Updated regularly, this section serves as an evolving archive of knowledge for the ECSDN community. Here, you will find: Practitioner Spotlights: Real stories from settings across the country, sharing their challenges and successes in "going green." Expert Commentary: Guest posts from sustainability leads and academics breaking down complex global issues into digestible, EYFS-friendly concepts. Student Research: Highlighting the innovative work of the next generation of Early Childhood graduates. Policy Updates: Simple summaries of how national and international sustainability goals impact your day-to-day requirements. Stay Informed: Our blog is designed to support your professional journey. Whether you have five minutes for a quick tip or twenty minutes for a deep dive, there is something here to spark a change in your setting today.
Collective Wisdom: The Strategy Roundtables
Sustainability isn’t solved in a vacuum—it’s shaped through collaboration, debate, and shared vision. Our Strategy Roundtable series offers a "fly-on-the-wall" perspective, featuring unscripted screen recordings of our strategy group and the broader sustainability community as they navigate the most pressing issues of our time. Each session is a candid exploration of contemporary challenges, featuring: •The Strategy Group: Core leaders dissecting the high-level frameworks and policy shifts affecting the sector. •Community Innovators: Grassroots voices and sustainability practitioners who provide "on-the-ground" reality checks. •The Provocateurs: Guest experts invited to challenge our assumptions and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Real Conversations, Real-Time Solutions More than just a presentation, these recordings capture the evolution of an idea. You’ll see the whiteboards, the data points, and the collaborative problem-solving that happens when diverse minds meet on screen. Every recording is accompanied by a "Key Takeaways" Summary, distilling the hour-long debate into the essential strategic pivots and insights you can apply to your own leadership or advocacy.