A new award was created for the employee-owned Childbase Partnership in the international Eco-Schools programme after the company broke records by achieving at least one Green Flag – the highest accolade for exceptional environmental conservation and awareness – in each of its day nurseries.

The awards recognise and celebrate the ecological achievements of children and their nursery teams. By delivering innovative and impactful play and activities, nurseries are encouraging children to be involved in making the right choices involving our environment; skills they’ll take forward in life.

Childbase Partnership was named ‘Early Years Provider of the Year’ and ‘an incredible Eco-Schools standard-bearer’ in the Eco-School Annual Awards. All 43-day nurseries in the South of England (2021/2022) not only achieved a Green flag but 23 achieved this with distinction and 6 with merit. This a record in Eco-Schools history.

Adam Flint, national manager, Eco-Schools England and education manager, Keep Britain Tidy, said:

“We’ve decided to change the award this year to recognise your incredible achievement. It’s usually ‘Nursery School of the Year’. There wasn’t really any other choice given your incredible achievement.  You and your children can feel immensely proud of the great work that you’ve put in. We’re very lucky to have you engaged with our programme.”

Amongst the best Eco-Schools achievers at the company is the Ofsted-rated Outstanding Rowan Tree in Welwyn Garden City, which has achieved four consecutive Green Flags/

The first Green Flag at Childbase Partnership was awarded to the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Lime Grove in Hemel Hempstead in October 2017.

Childbase Partnership ensures that its commitment to sustainability is carried forward through initiatives like Eco Committees. Placed in every nursery, practitioners and pre-schoolers will lead activities which include monitoring recycling efforts, ensuring taps are not left running , unnecessary lights are switched off, and that knowledge about conservation is shared.

Childbase Partnership nurseries send zero waste to landfill and are powered by Green Electricity from falling water, the sun, wind and organic waste material.

Link: Eco – Schools Award Ceremony 2023 – YouTube