Hopscotch &
The Environment
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Raising Little Planet Protectors
At Hopscotch, caring for children means caring for the world they’ll grow up in. As early years educators, we know the values children learn today shape the adults they’ll become tomorrow. That’s why we weave sustainability into everyday life — helping Hopscotchers discover recycling, energy-saving, and nature protection in ways that feel exciting and meaningful.Children, families, staff, and our community are all part of the Hopscotch mission — working side by side to make greener choices and create a better future.
We believe actions speak louder than words. From energy use to waste reduction, we’re committed to limiting and offsetting our environmental footprint across all nurseries. By showing children what positive change looks like, we help them see that they have the power to make a difference too.
Our Sustainability Journey
Energy Efficiency & Renewables
All Hopscotch nurseries run on 100% renewable energy - and we’re not stopping there. We’re installing solar panels at selected settings, acting on expert energy surveys, and supporting our teams to build energy-saving habits every day.
Cutting Our Carbon Footprint
We’re committed to playing our part in the UK’s journey to Net Zero by 2050 - with a goal to cut our emissions by 50% by 2030. We’ve introduced an all-electric company van, support staff through the Green Commute Initiative, and prioritise walking and public transport for outings.
In 2025, we’re teaming up with University of Brighton students to measure our carbon impact and uncover new ways to go even further.
Smarter Waste Management
We teach Hopscotchers that “waste” can be transformed into something useful. That’s why we’ve banned glitter, switched from plastic name badges to wooden ones, and launched our first wormery at Hove Station nursery - a hands-on composting project for children.
We’re also rolling out staff uniform recycling and looking at eco-friendly swaps for single-use plastics.
Saving Water
Water conservation is part of our sustainability curriculum. Our wetlands projects at two nurseries capture rainwater to create natural habitats and support ecosystems - and we plan to expand this to more settings
Food & Growing Projects
We work with Sussex-based caterer Little Tums, who source local meat, free-range eggs, and responsibly caught fish. We’re also creating nursery vegetable patches so children can grow herbs, fruit, and vegetables - helping them learn where food comes from and inspiring healthy eating.
Digital Sustainability
By using cloud-based filing, the Famly app, and digital signatures, we’ve drastically reduced paper use. Old technology is refurbished or recycled, and we favour online meetings where possible to cut travel emissions
Environmental Education
Through the Hopscotch Explorers programme, children learn about biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable living through play and discovery. From trips to Rampion Wind Farm Visitor Centre to hands-on wildlife projects, we help children connect deeply with the planet.Future plans include beach clean-ups, gardening clubs, and eco-workshops to inspire the next generation of green thinkers.
Biodiversity and Green Spaces
We believe children thrive in nature-rich environments. We’re planting a tree for every child registered with Hopscotch and working to make each nursery garden more biodiverse, providing a safe haven for wildlife and cleaner air for our communities. You can view our progress here:
Community Engagement
Sustainability is better when we do it together. We host community planting days, beach clean-ups, and partner with local environmental charities. Parents and carers are invited to join in — and we share our progress on social media and our website so everyone can see the difference we’re making.
Monitoring and Reporting
We track our energy, water, and fossil fuel usage to stay accountable. Policies are reviewed regularly using the latest research, helping us make decisions that create lasting change for generations to come.
