Staff and children at Euroka Children’s Centre in Blaxland have been getting their hands dirty.
They have created an insect hotel to encourage “good bugs” back into the landscape, a fairy garden with native plants, herbs and vegetables, and a nature nook for their youngest Euroka members.
These projects and others, were judged by a panel, which included Jenny Hill, the Blue Mountains City Council's environment communication and engagement officer.
“The fairy garden creates that learning space full of possibility in which you can further build sustainability practices and ideas,” Ms Hill said.
The panel decided the native fairy garden was the winner.
The aim of each of the projects was to create an appealing play space, which provided the opportunity for ongoing learning, promoted bio-diversity and was created using environmentally sustainable and recyclable materials, while encouraging continued partnership with families, through family participation.
The community-managed long day care centre has been focused this year on developing the centre's sustainable practices and environment.
Children are encouraged to save energy by turning lights off when they are not in use, and saving water by checking that taps have been turned off.
They also enjoy growing and harvesting vegetables, feeding the worms and adding scraps to the compost bins.