Tarragindi War Memorial Kindergarten (Tarragindi Kindy) has been recognised for its commitment to sustainability, winning the WasteSMART Early Learning Award.
This year’s award celebrates the kindy’s hands-on approach to teaching kids—and their families—practical ways to reduce waste and care for the planet.
About Tarragindi War Memorial Kindergarten
The Tarragindi Kindy, founded in 1952, has been a vital part of the local community for over seven decades. A community-run kindergarten, operating as a not-for-profit entity and affiliated with C&K (The Creche and Kindergarten Association), provides a nurturing environment aimed at encouraging children to engage in play, learning, and development, all within a supportive and nature-focused atmosphere.
The kindy’s child-led, play-based approach is fostering curiosity, independence, and creativity among its young learners. The outdoor spaces serve as more than mere playgrounds; they function as educational hubs where children can explore, discover, and engage with the natural world.
Parents and families play a significant role in the operations of the kindy. In a collaborative effort, they are stepping up to volunteer and exchange ideas, contributing to the establishment of a nurturing environment designed for the flourishing of children.
What Are the WasteSMART Awards?
The WasteSMART Brisbane Awards highlight the efforts of local schools, businesses, and community groups that are significantly contributing to waste reduction and the promotion of sustainability. In a significant move towards sustainability, the awards highlight innovative approaches such as composting, recycling, and the creative repurposing of materials. These initiatives are recognised for their effectiveness in diverting waste from landfills.
The Early Learning Award highlights the efforts of early education centres that incorporate sustainability into their everyday practices. Educators are focusing on instilling in children straightforward and impactful methods for environmental stewardship from an early age.
Sustainability in Action at Tarragindi Kindy
At Tarragindi Kindy, sustainability is woven into the fabric of everyday life—it’s simply the way things operate. Families are often seen donating recyclable items such as cardboard, bottle tops, egg cartons, old cooking utensils, and fabric scraps. In a fun twist on sustainability, classrooms are buzzing with creative activities that give new life to materials. This approach teaches kids the importance of repurposing instead of tossing items in the trash.
When the kindy has items they no longer need, they put them up on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. This way, those items get a second chance instead of being tossed in the landfill.
Learning by Doing
The kids at Tarragindi Kindy aren’t just learning about sustainability—they’re living it. They help compost food scraps, coffee grounds, and leaves using the kindy’s worm farm and compost bins. Families pitch in too, collecting recyclable containers, with the refunds funding more sustainable resources, like an extra worm farm.
Through the Bush Kindy Program, kids step outside and learn hands-on about nature. They pick up rubbish, explore their surroundings, and understand how their actions can protect the environment. Events like Clean Up Australia Day give these lessons real-world meaning.
The habits learned at kindy often travel home with the kids. Families are inspired to compost, recycle, and make small changes that add up to big impacts.
A Well-Earned Award
Tarragindi Kindy has snagged the WasteSMART Early Learning Award, a well-deserved nod to their commitment to sustainability. It’s not only the projects they’ve rolled out that matter; it’s the culture they’ve fostered, where every little action plays a part in achieving a bigger objective.
Tarragindi Kindy is on a sustainability journey, and it’s making a difference! With each recycled bottle top, every worm-fed compost bin, and all those enthusiastic kids, the positive impact just keeps on growing.
Published-28-Dec-2024