KU Childrens Services Bradfield Park

Saving water is child's play with Presto 705

Whether it’s a rain water tank next to the cubby house or water saving taps in the bathroom, the children at KU Bradfield Park Children’s Centre are learning about water conservation in their every day play.

As Australia’s leading non-profit childcare provider, KU has been providing early childhood development programs since 1895. The organisation has over 150 centres across Australia, caring for over 11,000 children. Bradfield Park has been operating in West Lindfield since 1989, and KU acquired the business in early 2008.

KU’s early education philosophy consists of a play-based learning program to stimulate a love of learning, using a wide range of activities and materials. The organisation also has a strong commitment to the environment and sustainability, and the staff at Bradfield Park are teaching children about water conservation, both in their play and within the centre.

Outside in the play area, the children can use water from a rain water tank that collects water run-off from their cubby house. “A key part of their learning is that once the water is gone, it’s gone until the next time it rains,” said Director Charlotte Virtue. “It’s important that they understand that water isn’t a limitless resource and that it needs to be shared with other children.”

That message is being reinforced by new Presto 705 taps in the bathrooms. The existing basin taps needed replacing as they were old and not very water efficient and Charlotte was keen to install water-saving taps that would reduce the amount of water used and wasted. She discussed options with, Rob McIntyre, the centre’s plumber at Ku-ring-gai Council,and agreed that the Presto 705 lever operated timed flow tap would be an ideal solution.

The lever-activated taps are great for small hands, and as Charlotte says, “The taps are easy for the children to use because the lever can be moved left, right, pushed or pulled to activate the water. The water also shuts off automatically, so we use and waste less.”

Children learn the three steps of washing their hands at the centre: soap first, water second, then drying with a paper towel. The tap shuts off automatically to provide improved hygiene for the children.

“The taps are perfect and are allowing the children the opportunity to learn about water conservation as well as saving us water and money,” Charlotte said.

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