A Practical New Guide to Sustainability in Early Years

We are pleased to share the launch of Sustainability in the Early Years: An Essential Guide for Educators, a new book co-written by our CEO Zoe Raven, Santa Svike, Sustainability & Governance Lead, and Becky Watanabe, Early Years Manager. The book brings together their shared passion and expertise in sustainability within early years education.

Developed over the last 18 months, this practical book has been created specifically for early years professionals working day-to-day in settings. It offers a clear and accessible approach to a topic that is often seen as complex or overwhelming, helping practitioners understand what sustainability really means and how it can be embedded into everyday practice.

The guide explores sustainability from both a practical and values-led perspective. It introduces key concepts such as an ethic of care, children’s connection to nature, and the importance of outdoor play, before moving into how sustainability can be embedded across early years settings. This includes approaches to indoor learning using natural materials, developing outdoor environments, and building meaningful links with local communities and green spaces.

A strong focus is also placed on everyday practice, supporting practitioners to model sustainable habits in areas such as food, waste, resource use and transport. The book also considers child and environmental wellbeing together, taking a ‘healthy children, healthy planet’ approach that recognises the close connection between the two.

Importantly, the book recognises that sustainability is always evolving. Rather than presenting a fixed set of answers, it encourages ongoing learning, reflection and small, meaningful changes over time and it reinforces the idea that sustainability is a shared responsibility

The book reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability across Acorn, and we would like to recognise the work of our teams, particularly our Eco-Leads, who continue to bring these principles to life in our settings every day.

We were delighted to host a special book launch, bringing together colleagues, friends and sector leaders to celebrate this important work. The event provided a valuable opportunity to hear directly from Zoe, Becky and Santa, who shared the thinking behind the book, their experiences, and the collective ambition to drive more sustainable practice across early years. It was a warm and inspiring evening, reflecting the passion and collaboration at the heart of the project.

We hope this book will support and inspire early years professionals, students and educators to continue learning, sharing ideas, and working together to create a more sustainable future for the children in our care.

Sustainability in the Early Years: An Essential Guide for Educators is available to purchase via Routledge here. Use discount code 26AFLY1 to get 20% off your purchase.