University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Regaining Paradise: Sustainability in the Early Years
Finalist, Next Generation Learning and Skills
Finalist, Next Generation Learning and Skills
About
Implementing education for sustainability on a BA (Hons) Early Years Education and Care programme. The BA (Hons) Early Years Education and Care at UWTSD has developed a Regaining Paradise: Sustainability in the early years’ module which all undergraduates study as part of their degree. The module involves students independently exploring the natural environment to find out about the connection between humans and the world around them. This allows students to reflect on significant sustainability issues and they also undertake a small-scale piece of practical conservation. During the module students reflect on their own sustainability learning and consider how what they have learnt could support their work with young children in the future.
Top 3 learnings
1. ‘I have learnt more about what sustainability means in the early years and what we as practitioners can do to support the children’
2. ‘I bettered my understanding of supporting biodiversity, sustainability and how to pass this info on to future generations’
3. ‘I now know now what effects the environment and how to look after it’.
What it would mean to win
Winning a Green Gown Award would be a significant achievement for the Institute of Education and Humanities, providing recognition for the innovative work being undertaken to embed sustainability and outdoor learning within the curriculum, particularly within the early years sector in Wales. It would validate the impact of the module in preparing future early years practitioners to align with Welsh priorities such as the non-maintained curriculum, curriculum for Wales, the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, fostering environmentally responsible and socially conscious practice from the earliest stages of education. The award would showcase our leadership in equipping students with the knowledge, values, and skills needed to influence sustainable and outdoor learning practice across early years settings in Wales, strengthening our reputation as a sector leader.
SDGs
4. Quality education
| 2026 | |
| Next Generation Learning and Skills | |
| Finalist, UK and Ireland |
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