Project Duration: 
October, 2008 (Date of Publication)
Project Status: 
Project Summary: 

Water consumption and water conservation are significant issues in Australia. In contrast with many schools across Australia that are already engaged in water education and water conservation programs, the early childhood education sector has been slow to respond to this challenge.

The study comprised two parts; the first part was a statistical analysis to investigate reductions in water usage in the seventeen centres engaged in the program and the second was a qualitative analysis exploring the ‘quadruple bottom line’ benefits (social, environmental, educational and economic) that stemmed from engagement in Rous Water’s Water Aware Centre Program.

Statistical analysis results were inconclusive. From the data available it was not possible to show measurable reductions in water consumption across all centres, as there were too many variables that prevented a valid calculation of reductions. The qualitative findings were compelling in determining the impact of the program, which provide the primary focus for this report.

The qualitative results showed important ‘quadruple bottom line’ benefits that arose from participation in the program. These included but were not limited to:

- Child leadership and advocacy for water conservation (social benefits);

- Uptake by teaching staff of sustainability education pedagogies (educational benefits);

- Improved water conservation and other resource management practices (environmental benefits);

- More efficient use of water resources (economic benefits).

Correlations between awareness and action, and action and consequence were noteworthy in these results, with positive changes to practices, intentions and ideals at centre level transferring to home and community contexts. Numerous centres made physical changes to their water infrastructure such as large scale redevelopments of centre grounds, while others made substantive efforts to purchase and install water-saving devices. One surprising element of the results was the extent to which children influenced the adults around them in relation to water conservation practices. Both teachers and parents were compelled to make changes to their own water use habits because of the children’s advocacy for water-conserving alternatives, a direct consequence of what they had learned in the Water Aware Centre Program.

The results reveal that even a relatively small-scale sustainability education program can provide considerable social, environmental, educational and economic benefits. To date, the early childhood education sector has been an ‘untapped’ resource in addressing sustainability issues of water use and water conservation. This study demonstrates clearly the potential of sustainability education investments in early years’ education.

Project Website: 
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Project: 
Water Educational Campaign
Key Contacts : 

Authors:  Dr Julie Davis   |   Melinda Miller   |   Wendy Boyd   |   Megan Gibson

Deliverables Text: 

ROUS Water (2008). The Impact and Potential of Water Education in Early Childhood Care and Education Settings.

Funding Programme Text: 
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