Vision

As the first Early Years centre in Canada supported by Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF), we see this garden project as more than just growing plants – it’s about growing awareness, care, and connection in our youngest learners. We believe that sustainability starts with small, meaningful experiences early on – when children are naturally curious and open to understanding their place in the world.

By getting hands-on with the garden—planting seeds, watching life unfold, and caring for living things – our kids (ages 1–5) are building a deep relationship with nature. Our vision is to nurture not only a thriving garden but also a generation that values the environment and understands their role in protecting it, from the very beginning.

Action

In Phase 1, we focused on germination – the beginning of life and learning. Using recycled egg cartons, our youngest learners (ages 1–5) carefully planted seeds indoors, observing firsthand what it means for a living thing to grow. Through this gentle, hands-on process, children began to understand life cycles, responsibility, and the joy of nurturing something over time.

While our seedlings began to sprout indoors, we turned our attention to the outdoor garden beds, which hadn’t been touched since the previous year. Alongside families and our Terra team, children helped clear out weeds, debris, and old plant material – restoring the space and building a deeper connection to the land and each other – Phase 2.

Once cleared, we enriched the soil with fresh soil and compost, teaching children about the basic needs of living things and the importance of healthy environments. Then, together as a team – parents, Terra team members, and children- we planted our seedlings and sowed new seeds directly into the ground – Phase 3.

We now care for the garden daily, eagerly watching for growth. Once ready, the vegetables will be harvested and used by our in-house chef to prepare fresh, nutritious meals for the children and staff. This garden-to-table approach not only reduces our environmental footprint but also helps our children understand where their food comes from in a way that’s real and memorable.

This project has sparked wonder, strengthened our community, and demonstrated that even the youngest children can be active participants in building a more sustainable future.

Reflection & Celebration

We’re proud of how much our little learners have already grown alongside our garden. It’s been amazing to see their curiosity and care in action. With the support of families and staff, we’ve built a strong community rooted in nature and sustainability. We hope and look forward to harvesting some nutritious plants soon, and to continuing to learn, grow, and expand this project every year, nurturing a lifelong love for the environment.