Education for Sustainability in Czech Kindergarten: Example of Good Practice in Kindergarten Semínko – Growing Microgreens

Education for sustainability is essential from an early age.The paper reports on evaluating a model early childhood education for sustainable development program called 'Growing Microgreens in nursery schools'.The program was developed in an environmentally specialized kindergarten, Semínko.Microgreens are young plants of various vegetable species grown in soil and harvested approximately after ten days.The simplicity of growing microgreens makes it an appropriate activity for preschool-age children.Besides rewarding the children with nutritious food, it brings children the opportunity to develop key competencies and pre-literacies.The program was developed in the Czech Republic in 2019 and is based on program theory.It was validated in 53 classrooms with 1051 preschoolers by the action research method (tools of mixed design).Activities were disseminated through a manual for teachers, which covered theory and practice, including legal and hygienic guidelines.Results were collected using a questionnaire.The evaluation focused on (a) quality and (b) efficiency.(a) Overall, using the predetermined criteria, involved teachers provided positive feedback on the program.Some complications were found, and possible solutions were suggested.(b) Most of the children (74 %) benefited from the program.The older (5-6 years old) benefited more than the younger ones.Better results were achieved in classrooms where the entire package of activities, including cultivation and themerelated activities, was implemented.