They’re only aged four but the children at Salamander Child Care Centre already know that littering is bad, unlike the people they’ve been cleaning up after.
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Charlotte, 4, had an important message for the grown ups.
“Put the rubbish in the bin,” she said.
The centre backs onto bush and the staff often like to take the children into the timbered area as part of their learning.
This was out of the question after Christmas when staff discovered it was untidy and unsafe thanks to those who left litter behind.
“We need to keep it clean, so it’s not yukky,” four-year-old Cleo said.
The centre held the clean up on Monday (April 24).
Clean Up Australia provided some helpful hints, rubbish bags and gloves while Port Stephens Council contributed special bins.
Community members and parents helped out on the day.
“We had discussions with the children about safety and how they could work together,” educator Gina Castle said.
“The children have been learning about caring for our environment and helping the community and they were surprised to find lots of take-away containers and plastic shopping bags in the bush.”
One of the children, Jed, 4, had a simple message for people who continued to do the wrong thing.
“You got to pick up the bags,” he said.
Mrs Castle said the bush was not only cleaner, the community was tighter as well.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with the community and take care of the environment, she said.
Port Stephens Council will continue to monitor the area.
