Education for Sustainable Citizenship (ESC) at Tops Day Nurseries

Welcome to Tops Day Nurseries, where we help children become confident, caring, and responsible citizens from the very start. Our unique approach to early years education is built on three key pillars: Social & Cultural Education, Environmental Education, and Economic Education.

Discover how our day nursery curriculum nurtures your child’s growth and prepares them for a bright, sustainable future.

Why Choose ESC at Tops Day Nurseries?

At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe education is about more than knowledge, it’s about building well-rounded individuals.

Our ESC curriculum ensures every child:

• Experiences diverse and inclusive learning

• Connects with their local community

• Develops environmental awareness and care

• Gains practical life and economic skills

Pillar 1: Social & Cultural Education

We create a welcoming environment where every child feels they belong. Rooted in the values of respect and inclusion, our Social & Cultural Education pillar provides:

• Books, toys, and displays celebrating diverse cultures, languages, and family backgrounds

• Participation in local cultural festivals, community events, and service projects

• Peer interaction through activities like log circles and talk-tubes

• Free choice play with supportive adult guidance to extend learning

• Lessons about global homes, nutrition, family life, and world religions

• Group physical activities indoors and outdoors to promote teamwork and well-being

Our social and cultural citizenship focus helps children build strong relationships and a positive sense of identity.

Pillar 2: Environmental Education

Caring for the environment is woven into daily life at Tops Day Nurseries. Our environmental curriculum encourages children to:

• Work alongside environmental action groups and parent volunteers

• Enjoy free-flow indoor and outdoor play in nature-rich spaces

• Take care of animals and help plants grow in our gardens

• Play and learn in green spaces, exploring natural textures and features

• Participate in role play focused on recycling, saving energy, and protecting the planet

• Grow their own food in vegetable gardens and planters

• Watch adults model eco-friendly habits, inspiring lifelong sustainability

Family participation is always welcome, reinforcing environmental citizenship at nursery and at home.

Pillar 3: Economic Education

We help children understand the world of resources, money, and choices through hands-on experiences, including:

• Recycling and energy-saving activities to learn resource conservation

• Healthy eating with locally grown snacks and meals

• Pretend play shops with point-of-sale toys, tally charts, and number labels

• Opportunities to fix toys and books, learning about care and value

• Exploring choices with second-hand shops and awareness activities

All lessons are designed to link practical skills with broader economic citizenship, preparing children for a thoughtful future.

Involving Families: Join Our ESC Journey

Parent involvement is key to success at Tops Day Nurseries. We encourage families to:

• Participate in sustainability, culture, and community projects

• Share their own family traditions, stories, and recipes

• Support children’s learning journeys at home

We aim to involve more than 60% of families in ESC activities. By working together, we help every child become a responsible, kind, and active member of their community and the wider world. Learn more about how we teach at Tops here.

Give your child the ESC advantage at Tops Day Nurseries, where we nurture bright futures through caring, creative, and sustainable early years education. Click here to find your closest Top Day Nurseries.