In the article, Manon explains how breaking through the urban landscape of concrete and paving was the starting point for creating the green child centre. The project was therefore aptly named ‘Operatie steenbreek’ (Operation Stone Break). The result is a new building with a real vegetable garden, a fire pit, a compost bin for green waste, a water tap and an animal enclosure where chickens and guinea pigs roam.
A crop rotation plan has been drawn up for the vegetable garden. The intention is that the produce will also be used in the children’s cooking café, so that the children can harvest, cook and eat.
How the vegetable garden fits into the curriculum is still a work in progress, says Manon: “Everyone sees the importance of nature and environmental education, but in practice much attention is devoted to language and arithmetic.” According to Manon, the vegetable garden and animal enclosure serve not only an educational purpose but also help bring people together. This is where the children from childcare, out-of-school care and the school’s pupils meet. In that sense, the shared garden also fits within the theme of citizenship, because all the children are jointly responsible for the greenery.