Local childcare centres and early learning facilities looking to reduce energy costs and make their buildings more sustainable can now access free support through the Climate Ready Childcares program.
The initiative is being jointly delivered by Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick Councils and is designed to make it easier for local early learning providers to investigate practical sustainability upgrades without having to navigate the process alone.
For childcare centres, reducing energy use can mean lower running costs while also creating more comfortable and sustainable spaces for local children, educators and families.
What is Climate Ready Childcares?
Climate Ready Childcares helps childcare centres and early learning facilities understand which energy and sustainability improvements could work for their premises.
Participating facilities receive support throughout the process, starting with a free site visit and continuing through to obtaining and reviewing quotes and, where appropriate, installing upgrades.
Potential improvements explored through the program include:
- Solar panels and batteries
- Heat pumps
- LED lighting upgrades
- Electric vehicle charging
- Air-conditioning improvements
- Draught proofing
- Insulation
The program can help centres identify which improvements are most appropriate for their building rather than trying to work everything out independently.
Free Advice and Support
One of the biggest advantages of the program is the practical assistance available to participating childcare providers.
The program includes a free site visit and obligation-free quotes from trusted suppliers, as well as expert advice to help centres review quotes and understand their options.
Support is also available to explore potential fundraising and grant opportunities, which could help make larger sustainability projects more achievable.
Once improvements have been completed, the program can also help participating centres celebrate their upgrades and share their sustainability achievements with the wider community.
Why It Matters for Local Families
Childcare centres can be busy facilities with lighting, heating, cooling and other equipment operating for long periods throughout the week.
Energy-efficiency improvements have the potential to reduce operating costs while creating more comfortable facilities and reducing environmental impact.
They can also provide an opportunity for children to see sustainability happening around them – from solar panels producing electricity to simple changes that reduce unnecessary energy use.
Is Your Childcare Centre Interested?
The Climate Ready Childcares program is free and available to eligible childcare centres and early learning facilities across the participating council areas.
Childcare operators interested in taking part can express their interest through the Climate Ready Childcares program.
For local parents, it may also be worth sharing the program with your childcare centre, preschool or early learning provider if you think they could benefit.
Find out more and express your interest through the Climate Ready Childcares program run by Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick Councils.
