Being sustainable in the early years impacts on all elements of practice - from running a childcare business responsibly to educating children to live their lives in ways that are positive environmentally, socially and financially.

Increasing numbers of early years providers are keen to weave sustainable practice into their businesses and curriculum. Should sustainability be embedded in statutory early years documents, and will the Department for Education’s draft policy document on Sustainability and Climate Change offer support?

With such big and broad aims it can be overwhelming to know where to start working towards being more environmentally friendly and promoting a socially just world. This conference will empower practitioners to focus on their current practice and highlight areas where they - along with the children and families in their care and their local community - can develop more knowledge, skills, critical thinking and empathy to allow sustainable development to thrive.

The conference includes:
• Overview of the meaning of sustainability in the early years and progress being made, with Cheryl Hadland
• Joe Neame on putting the Sustainable Development Goals into practice
• How embedding self-regulation can support children to care for our planet, with Dr Mine Conkbayir
• Naomi Clarke on breaking down barriers to participation
• Creating an environmental curriculum – a case study from Everton Nursery School
• Training and awards – case studies on the OMEP Early Childhood Education for Sustainable Citizenship Award and the Eco-Schools Green Flag scheme, plus LEYF’s Level 4 qualification
• Practical workshops on involving parents and staff (Childbase); resourcing by reusing and repurposing; and focusing on STEM (Alfreton Nursery School).