At Tops Day Nurseries, sustainability isn’t just a value, it’s a way of life. One of the ways we uphold this in our early years settings is by avoiding food-based play. While food items like pasta, rice, and flour have traditionally been used for sensory experiences, we believe there’s a better way , one that teaches respect for resources and the planet.
Instead of food play, we offer rich sensory opportunities using:
By doing this, we not only engage children in meaningful play but also promote responsible resource use and support children to understand that food is for nourishment – not for waste.
Let’s teach children the value of food and the joy of sustainability, one sensory experience at a time.
Respect for food: With so many families struggling with food insecurity, we believe it sends the wrong message to waste edible items in play.
Environmental impact: Producing food takes water, energy, and resources. Using it for play contributes to unnecessary waste.
Children’s understanding: We want to teach children that food is valuable, to be respected and used for nutrition – not discarded.
What can you do at home?
Together, we can provide wonderful sensory play while modelling the sustainable choices we want our children to carry into the future.
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