Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. As an early years provider, Hopscotch is committed to reducing its environmental impact while helping children build a strong, early connection to the natural world. Our role is to model positive behaviours, create resilient and low-carbon nursery environments, and teach children how to care for the planet through everyday experiences.
This Climate Action Plan focuses specifically on how Hopscotch is addressing climate change in line with the UK Government’s Net Zero by 2050 target, the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy (2022) and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. It complements our broader Sustainability Strategy, which outlines our full range of environmental objectives. This policy serves as a guide and is not exhaustive or binding, but it is designed to provide a clear idea of where and how we can improve and achieve our sustainability goals.
Objective: Reduce energy consumption across all our settings whilst continuing to utilise a renewable energy tariff.
All Hopscotch settings are powered a renewable tariff for electricity. Staff are encouraged to switch off equipment and lights when not in use. Mounted fans have been installed across all settings to improve air circulation and maintain indoor comfort during warmer periods. Solar panels have been installed at our Preston Park setting.
We will install LED lighting across all nurseries and improve the efficiency of our heating and cooling systems. Solar panels will be introduced at selected sites, with any surplus energy fed back to the grid. As part of our commitment to creating thermally comfortable environments, we will continue to review ventilation and insulation needs as identified in recent building surveys. Energy efficiency audits will be carried out regularly and used to guide upgrades and adjustments.
Objective: Achieve a 46.2% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2031, with the aim of being Net Zero across scope 1 and 2 by 2050.
We operate an electric company van and support sustainable travel through the Green Commute Initiative. Public transport and walking are the only methods used when going on outings or trips with the children. We have partnered with Seedling to calculate our annual carbon emissions in line with GHG protocol, setting SBTi targets as a result.
Staff commuting patterns will be monitored through regular surveys. All future company vehicles will be electric, and we will explore verified offsetting schemes for any unavoidable emissions.
Objective: Reduce our food waste and single-use plastic consumption.
We have banned glitter across all settings and replaced plastic name badges with oak-veneered MDF. Additionally, we have signed up to Scrap Space, a local charity for repurposing unwanted resources. A wormery has been opened at Hove Station and Preston Park too.
We will carry out audits to assess food waste and identify ways to reduce it. Wormeries will be rolled out to all settings. We will review our Caring for Children Policy in order to reduce single-use plastics and introduce alternatives. Earlier toilet training will be promoted where appropriate to support waste reduction and sustainability. Additionally, we will implement a uniform recycling program and donate any toys that are no longer in use to charity. We will prioritise sourcing wood for our workshops from wood reuse stores and surplus materials from IKEA to reduce the use of new materials.
Objective: Reduce water usage over the next 5 years.
Water meters will be installed across all settings to monitor usage and identify trends. Flow regulators and self-closing taps will be fitted to reduce unnecessary water loss. In line with building surveys carried out this year, we will also assess any sites with surface water pooling or historic drainage issues and take preventative action where needed (e.g. clearing gutters, redirecting runoff, or adding gravel soakaways). These measures will also support our flood resilience and long-term site safety.
Objective: Encourage, implement and maintain sustainable food practices within our nurseries.
Meals are sourced by a local supplier, Little Tums.
We will expand food-growing activities to all settings where space allows, linking it to seasonal learning. This allows children to learn about agriculture and sustainable food choices.
Objective: Integrate sustainable digital practices across all operations and minimise electronic and paper waste.
We use the Famly app and cloud-based storage to reduce reliance on paper. We run meetings online where we can and have transferred our registration forms to Famly for digital signatures and filing. Additionally, we have rolled out an HR system which has minimised paper use for staff forms.
Staff will be trained to use energy-saving modes on devices, and a shared digital resource hub will be developed. We will review our web hosting and digital infrastructure to ensure low-carbon performance, and explore sending all outdated electronic devices to be refurbished or recycled.
Objective: Educate the children in our care on the importance of protecting our planet and all organisms within it.
Children engage in curriculum-linked sustainability activities, including Hopscotch Explorers sessions, biodiversity walks, and visits to sites such as Rampion Wind Farm.
We will introduce more beach clean-ups, gardening days, and local community eco-projects. Children will co-create a sustainability-themed book, and we will work with local wildlife organisations to deliver expert-led workshops that reinforce the importance of climate action in a child-friendly way.
Objective: Enhance biodiversity and create green spaces in and around nursery settings.
A tree is planted for every new child registered, and we provide organic cotton uniforms from Fear Wear Foundation members.
We will continue improving on outdoor areas with bug hotels, pollinator planting, and wild patches to encourage local biodiversity. Drought-tolerant plants and raised beds will be used to make nursery gardens more resilient to changing weather conditions.
Objective: Collaborate with and engage our local communities to foster a positive environmental impact.
We host sustainability-themed events such as planting days and litter-picks, and share regular updates with families through newsletters and the Famly app.
An Eco Committee will be established. We will strengthen relationships with local environmental organisations and schools, and expand staff training to include weather-readiness. For example, guidance on planning activities during high temperatures or wet conditions, hydration reminders, and securing outdoor areas during storms. Seasonal climate considerations will be built into termly operational checklists.
Objective: Establish a system for monitoring and reporting environmental performance.
We’ve begun tracking and calculating our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as carbon emissions, energy usage and water usage, using 2025 as our baseline year.
We will track progress against these KPIs and regularly update policies and practices.
This plan will be reviewed annually and progress shared through internal briefings and our Knowledge Base to ensure continued momentum across all settings.
This Climate Action Plan is led by the Hopscotch senior leadership team and supported by nursery managers. It will be reviewed each year in line with operational changes, climate data, and national sustainability guidance to ensure it remains practical and relevant.
We comply with all relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, ensuring that our sustainability practices meet or exceed regulatory standards.
Hannah Charlton, Sustainability & Systems Coordinator
Hannah Charlton, Sustainability & Systems Coordinator
Updated to reflect progress and for Green Claims Code