Children, families, and staff at Devonview Nursery in Airdrie are celebrating after achieving the prestigious Eco Schools Green Flag Award. The honour follows months of environmental learning, community action, and sustainability projects that have inspired the entire nursery community.
Small Actions, Big Impact
The nursery’s eco journey encouraged children to explore how small everyday actions can make a significant difference to the world around them. Through hands-on activities, outdoor learning, and teamwork, children developed a deeper understanding of caring for the environment while building positive habits that will last a lifetime.
Devonview’s strong environmental ethos helps children understand that everyone can play a part in keeping the planet clean, healthy, and happy. From saving water and recycling to planting flowers and protecting wildlife, children embraced their role as young eco champions.
Praise from Nursery Leaders
Lynn Sloan, Depute Head of Centre, said: “We are incredibly proud of the children’s enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment throughout the Eco Schools journey. This project has shown just how passionate and capable young children can be when it comes to protecting our environment. The children have embraced every activity with excitement and have inspired our whole community to think more carefully about the world around us.”
Eco Code and Recycling Song
One highlight of the initiative was the creation of the children’s own Eco Code: “Look After the World – You Choose, Reuse.” The children also wrote and performed their own Recycling Song, proudly singing about recycling, planting, and growing together “here at Devonview.”
Eco Bear Mascot
To strengthen links between nursery and home, Devonview introduced its much-loved Eco Superhero mascot, Eco Bear. Children take Eco Bear home to complete eco-friendly activities with their families, including recycling, planting seeds, saving energy, and litter picking. Eco Bear’s adventures are then shared back at nursery, inspiring others to join in.
Three Key Focus Areas
As part of their Eco Schools Action Plan, children identified three key focus areas: climate change, litter, and school grounds. Through climate change activities, children explored simple but meaningful ways to care for the planet. Staff created engaging opportunities for learning about nature, sustainability, and responsibility through practical experiences.
Bug Hotels from Recycled Materials
A particularly popular activity involved creating bug hotels using recycled milk cartons brought in from home. The project helped children learn about insect habitats while encouraging creativity, teamwork, recycling, and outdoor exploration. Children developed curiosity and empathy as they discovered the important role bugs and insects play in the garden ecosystem.
Eco Homework and Litter Picking
The nursery also introduced Eco Homework Charts to encourage families to save energy and recycle more at home, helping children understand that environmental responsibility continues beyond the classroom. Litter picking has become another important part of nursery life. Children regularly work together to help keep their local environment clean and tidy, learning valuable lessons about teamwork, community pride, and caring for shared spaces.
Community Clean-Up Event
In a fantastic show of community spirit, parents, staff, and children recently joined forces for a whole-school clean-up event. Armed with gloves, bags, and enthusiasm, the school community transformed outdoor spaces while reinforcing their commitment to sustainability and environmental care.
Recycling Projects Flourish
Recycling projects have also flourished across the nursery. Children reused Easter egg boxes when planting seeds and took part in fun recycling challenges designed to encourage environmentally friendly habits at home.
