Mitchelton Pre-schooling Centre
Practices improved:
A legacy of sustainability & community
About the school
Mitchelton Pre-schooling Centre (MPC) is a small not-for-profit kindergarten in north Brisbane affiliated with the Gowrie QLD – and has been in operation for 65 years. The centre focuses on the well-being of children as they grow and learn through play. Play can “provide insights into children’s interests, skills, beliefs, joys, anxieties and frustrations. We encourage healthy, sustainable practices and value everyday, incidental and intentional experiences.”
Sustainability as a core philosophy
MPC has truly ebedded sustainability into every aspect of its operations, and has made a point to actively involve the children in their care in initiatives and projects. The centre has a particular interest in projects that enhance and improve the biodiversity of the site, as well as initiatives to reduce waste. Some of the many actions the staff and children at MPC have completed include:
- Separation of waste streams, including the collection of complex waste items such as dental and personal care products
- Encouraging families to reduce packaging in lunchboxes
- Educating children about the waste hierarchy and fostering a respect for belongings and an emphasis on repair and re-use of toys over disposal
- Re-usable hand towels for each child to reduce single-use items
- Installation of worm farm and composting systems
- Children’s clothes swaps, with surplus items donated to Picabeen – a local community organisation
- Installation of wildlife habitat support – possum boxes and native bee hives (which are split and sold to families)
- Installation of solar panels and water tanks
Creation of water play area that utilises continually recycled tank water
Embracing and strengthening community ties
MPC continues to develop and maintain strong relationships with local community organisations such as the Picabeen Community Centre, the local Men’s Shed, and charities like the Indigenous Literacy Fund, where donations from a recent book drive were given. The Centre also organises collections for charities such as Share the Dignity.
Dedication to continual improvement
As with any worthwhile endeavour, success rarely happens overnight, and all the fantastic projects MPC have implemented have been the result of dedication, hard work, and a genuine commitment to reducing their environmental impact and instilling a respect for nature in the children they care for. The centre embraces challenge and always asks itself, “What can WE do to help this environmental challenge?”. The focus is always on “opportunities not constraints” which has no doubt contributed to MPC’s success.
