CHICKENS, guinea pigs and rabbits roam free. Small children pick organic herbs and eat home-grown free-range eggs.

Two new day-care centres have opened on Sydney’s northern beaches with an environmentally friendly ethos.The centres, that charge rates from $50 to $95 a day, also use recycled water on the garden and incorporate recycled building materials where possible.

“A lot of families live in units and don’t have access to a garden,” Kiri said. “It teaches kids about everything environmental. We recycle everything, have worm farms and a herb garden.”

They are planning to replant the garden beds in time for spring. The herb garden is bursting with basil, mint, and chives and spiky aloe vera spears grow in a rockery.

Eco-Preschool is the brainchild of Kiri Combi hopes to expand the concept overseas to countries such as England and Italy.Read the full article

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