Our Commitment in Action

We don’t just talk sustainability, equity, and play ... we live it every day in everything we create.

At Growing Green, we know that sustainability is more than a buzzword. It’s a daily practice, a shared responsibility, and a long-term investment in our children’s future.

Our mission goes beyond the classroom. We’re actively engaged in a range of initiatives that support sustainability, equity, and high-quality early childhood education. From local partnerships and statewide advocacy to curriculum development and educator training, we are proud to be part of a broader movement working toward a healthier, more just future for all children.

Whether we are supporting food justice projects, promoting access to nature-based learning, or contributing to research and policy discussions, our work reflects our belief that small actions...when rooted in community, it can grow into lasting change.

Sustainability at Our Core

Teaching children to care for the Earth isn’t just a lesson ... it’s a way of living, learning, and leading.

At Growing Green, sustainability is woven into every thread of what we do. From the materials we design to the habits we model, we believe that small, mindful choices add up to lasting impact. Our curriculum doesn’t treat nature as a separate subject—it makes it the lens through which learning unfolds.

We choose eco-conscious practices and resources to reduce our footprint. Our activities invite children to explore the rhythms of the natural world, notice seasonal changes, reuse creatively, and reflect on how their actions shape the environment around them.

By cultivating daily habits of care, like composting, conserving water, and observing nature closely, we empower even the youngest learners to see themselves as stewards of the Earth.

Because caring for the planet shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be the foundation.

Small steps. Big impact.

We Are Not Just Teaching Sustainability ... We are Living It

Our commitment lives not just in what we believe, but in what we do. Every curriculum unit, classroom recommendation, and resource we create is rooted in our core principles and brought to life through real-world action.

We are not just building ability.
We are raising children who will grow up to be changemakers, community builders, and climate activists.

We don’t just talk. We compost, reuse, plant, sort, share, rescue, reduce, reflect, and do.

Every unit is a seed. Every day is a movement.
Because big change starts with little footsteps.

At Growning Green, we know that Sustainablity is more than just a Trend

IT'S A STICKY MUD PUDDLE SCIENCE LESSON, A COMPOST BIN FULL OF CURIOSITY + A LUNCH BOX PACKED WITH LOVE + LESS WASTE

We don't just talk about change.
We grow it with tiny hands, muddy boots, and a big vision for what's possible.

Play as a Powerful Tool

Play is the language children speak best, and we are fluent in it.

At Growing Green, we believe that play isn’t a break from learning ... it is learning. It’s how children make sense of the world, test ideas, express emotions, build relationships, and explore what matters most to them. When children are free to play, they are free to wonder, experiment, and grow.

That’s why every one of our lessons, prompts, and materials is built on the foundation of open-ended, imaginative, and nature-connected play. We create space for puddle jumping, fort building, storytelling, rock collecting, and quiet moments of observation — because these experiences spark the deepest kinds of curiosity and connection.

Whether indoors or out, guided or spontaneous, play invites children to solve problems, think critically, build empathy, and express their unique voice. Our curriculum empowers educators to follow the child’s lead, trust their instincts, and embrace the beautiful messiness of real discovery.

Because when play leads, meaningful learning follows.

Learning happens when play leads.

Equity + Inclusion in Practice

Every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and connected. That’s not just a belief. It’s a responsibility.

At Growing Green, we are committed to creating learning experiences where all children feel a sense of belonging. Inclusion isn’t an afterthought, rather it’s the heart of our work. We recognize that every classroom is beautifully diverse, and we intentionally design our curriculum to reflect the wide range of identities, cultures, languages, family structures, and abilities that make each learning community unique.

We choose illustrations, language, stories, and examples that reflect the real world, not just what’s often shown in traditional curriculum. You will not see a cartoon sun wearing sunglasses here! Our materials highlight diverse traditions, honor multiple ways of learning, and offer flexible pathways so educators can meet children where they are. From sensory-friendly activities to family-inclusive practices, we strive to ensure every child feels at home in the learning environment.

Equity also means access. That’s why we prioritize tools that are affordable, adaptable, and easy to implement across a variety of settings, from public programs and co-ops to faith-based groups and homeschooling families. We believe high-quality, nature-based education should be accessible to all children, regardless of zip code or income level.

We also support educators on their equity journey by offering reflection questions, inclusive language guides, and professional learning resources. Because just like nature, learning communities thrive in diversity, and when we cultivate belonging, everyone grows.

Different roots, same garden.

Community + Partnership

Together, we grow stronger.
Our work thrives because of the communities and educators we partner with.
We actively listen and collaborate with teachers, families, and organizations to keep our curriculum relevant, inclusive, and impactful.
Our commitment is to continuous growth,fueled by your stories and feedback.

Living Our Commitment Every Day.
This is more than a mission statement...it’s how we show up for children, families + the planet.

In Classrooms

Picture this:
A three-year-old sorts bottle caps by color, size, and “how shiny they are”, and doesn’t even know they’re learning math and sustainability.

That’s the magic of our curriculum.

We design developmentally appropriate, nature-based investigations for children birth to five that promote curiosity, compassion, and critical thinking.

Our approach sparks:

Seasonal and place-based learning, helping children connect to the natural world around them.
Hands-on exploration using natural, recycled, or repurposed materials.
Sustainability routines, such as composting, food sharing, and waste reduction.
Equity-centered teaching, ensuring that all children see themselves as capable changemakers.

Because snack time, circle time, and clean-up time? They’re all learning time, too.
Educators using our curriculum are empowered to turn everyday moments, mealtime, outdoor play, art, cleanup...into opportunities for sustainability learning.

In Centers + Programs

Now imagine this:

A toddler helps rinse out a yogurt container for recycling while singing a “Clean and Green” jingle her teacher made up during diaper duty.

That’s sustainability, center-wide.

We help programs:

Rethink materials...no glitter, no guilt.
Design learning spaces that grow with the seasons.
Engage every staff member, from kitchen to playground.
Celebrate progress with colorful, child-friendly trackers.

We partner with early childhood centers to embed sustainability into the fabric of their environments and operations. This includes:

Conducting center-wide sustainability audits to identify strengths and opportunities.
Supporting eco-friendly swaps for classroom and kitchen supplies.
Designing outdoor nature-based learning spaces that reflect children’s interests and promote stewardship.
Offering tools to track and celebrate progress, like composting charts, garden logs, and waste-free lunch challenges.

When a center commits, the culture shifts, and children lead the way. And we are here for it!
From curriculum design to family engagement, we support programs in becoming models of sustainable practice.

In the Community

It’s Saturday morning, and your preschooler is handing out “food rescue soup” at a neighborhood event, beaming with pride and slightly covered in kale.

That’s the power of extending learning into the world.

We believe in collective action. That’s why our curriculum is designed to extend beyond the classroom and into the wider community. Our community commitment includes:

Engaging families in sustainable routines at home through take-home activities, family challenges, and shared garden projects.
Creating public-facing events like nature museums, food rescue fairs, and eco-fests that involve children and families in real-world sustainability efforts.
Partnering with local organizations to amplify impact, from composting collectives to food access coalitions.

Because sustainability doesn’t stop at the classroom door. It grows at home, in the garden, and in your neighborhood.
Our goal is to nurture a generation of children who not only love the Earth but feel a strong sense of responsibility to care for it—alongside their families and communities.

Every Child Deserves to Feel Powerful, Connected + Capable of Caring for their World

WE ARE HERE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN ... ONE CLASSROOM, ONE CENTER + ONE COMMUNITY AT A TIME

What Makes Us Different

We don’t believe in “Earth Day and done.” Earth Day Everyday!

Unlike many early learning resources, our approach to sustainability is:

Infused into daily routines, not just a one-time activity or theme.
Designed for all ages, including infants and toddlers—not just preschoolers.
Rooted in real classroom experience, created by educators and sustainability experts working side by side.
Focused on equity, ensuring every child, regardless of background, has access to nature-rich, sustainability-focused learning.

We’re here for the mess, the magic, and the moments that matter.

Where We Show Up

Our commitment to sustainability and early childhood education extends beyond the classroom. We actively engage with local organizations, community projects, and collaborative initiatives that share our vision for a greener, more just future.
From hands-on learning in nature spaces to policy conversations and neighborhood events, we believe in showing up, in real places, with real people, making real change.

EXPLORE OUR Initiatives + Partnerships

At Growing Green Curriculum, action speaks louder than words. We are proud to walk the talk, every single day.

Our Impact

We don’t just make lesson plans. We make waves.

Here’s what we’ve grown—so far:

Over 300+ children have experienced hands-on sustainability learning through our curriculum pilots.
3+ (and counting) early learning centers are actively embedding our sustainable practices across classroom and kitchen routines.
Tons of waste diverted, through composting and recycling initiatives led by children and educators.
Countless seeds planted, gardens started, and pollinator spaces created through child-led investigations.
Strong community partnerships formed with local sustainability organizations, food access programs, and environmental educators.

And we’re just getting started.