About Us

---

​Rooted in Early Childhood
​Growing Toward a Sustainable Future

At Growing Green Curriculum, we believe the journey toward a more sustainable world begins in the earliest years of life. Our work is grounded in the idea that young children (infants, toddlers, and preschoolers) are not too young to explore big ideas like conservation, stewardship, and equity. In fact, they are the perfect place to start.

We create nature-based, sustainability-focused curriculum for children birth to age 5 that invites them to observe, explore, care for, and fall in love with the Earth. Through hands-on investigations, sensory-rich learning, and everyday sustainable routines, we empower educators, families, and communities to raise the next generation of changemakers.

Real people. Real mud. Real mission.
We are early educators, parents, nature lovers, and fierce believers in the magic of childhood.
And yes, we’ve definitely pulled rocks + sticks, out of pockets + leaves out of backpacks. Responsibly foraged ... of course!

Our Roots

​Growing Green Curriculum was born out of a multi-year collaboration between the Bombeck Family Learning Center and the Hanley Sustainability Institute at the University of Dayton. Together, we set out to answer a powerful question:

What does sustainability look like in early childhood education?

The answer: it looks like compost bins in toddler classrooms, magnifying glasses in nature museums, recycled art projects, food-sharing gardens, and children who joyfully notice the wind, the soil, and the small bugs beneath a log.

Our curriculum is built on real classroom practices, years of research, and a deep belief that children can and should be part of the solution.

From seed to story, everything we do is rooted in care.

From Seed to Story

It all started with a passion for play, a love for the Earth + a vision of what early childhood education could be.

​Our Beliefs

We are guided by four foundational principles:

1. Love comes first. When children fall in love with nature, they’re more likely to protect it.
2. Sustainability is a daily habit. Small, consistent actions shape big futures.
3. Equity matters. Every child, family, and educator deserves access to learning that honors their identities and experiences.
4. Early childhood matters. The values and routines developed in the early years shape our lifelong relationships with the Earth and each other.

Rooted in Belief

We Don't just Create Curriculum ... We Make Moments

WHERE WONDER LEADS + LEARNING COMES ALIVE

The best learning doesn’t come from a worksheet, even if on recyled paper. It comes from a puddle, a story, a question, or a giggle. We are here for the early mornings, the muddy hands, the wide eyes, and the whispered “Look what I found!” moments. This work matters, and we do it because we have seen the impact it has on children, families, and communities.​

​​What Makes Us Different

What sets us apart? We’re not trying to fit kids into a box (recycled or resued). We’re helping them build their own.

• Nature-first, not tech-first
• No rigid scripts, just real-life learning
• Designed by real educators
• Family + community friendly
• Green thinking from the start

We design with intention, not perfection. Life is messy + learning should be too.

​Our Work in Action

• ​We develop seasonal investigations aligned with nature’s rhythms and children’s curiosities.
• We design nature provocations and sustainability swaps that are affordable, practical, and meaningful.
• We support centers and educators with tools, strategies, and professional development to embed sustainability in their daily work.
• We advocate for child-centered climate and environmental action that begins with joyful, developmentally appropriate learning.

Sustainability in Motion

Powered by purpose.
​Fueled by wonder.

Join Us

​Whether you are an educator, caregiver, center leader, or advocate, there’s a place for you here. Together, we’re growing a generation of children who love the Earth, and know how to care and defend it.

Because there is no Planet B. This is the only home we have ... so let's treat it that way.

Start the Conversation