The Spring Street Childcare Centre plans to test that theory and teach children about the joy of environmentally friendly gardens.

Acting director Stacey Roweth said a working bee on Saturday gave families and staff the opportunity to spend some time together and do some much-needed garden maintenance.

“There’s a lot of work we need to do,” she said. “One of our biggest focuses this year is our outdoor environment. We’re encouraging them to learn about gardening, vegetables and sustainability.”

The centre will expand its vegetable gardens and incorporate them into the children’s activities.

“I think they develop more of an understanding of it all and helps them become more aware of different fruit and vegetables,” Ms Roweth said. “Because they’ve grown it themselves they’re more interested.”

The children are also building a scarecrow to go in to the new gardens.

Ms Roweth thanked families, staff and councillor Fiona Rossiter for attending the working bee, and Mitre 10 for donating planks for the garden.