Can It Become Compost?

What you'll need

• Suitable compost container or existing service compost
• Approved fruit and vegetable scraps
• Dry leaves or suitable carbon material
• Gloves for adults if needed
• Handwashing facilities

Preparation

1. Set up or inspect a safe compost system and decide which materials children may add under supervision.

What to do

1. Sort examples into things that can and cannot enter the service compost.
2. Add suitable materials.
3. Predict what will change.
4. Observe over days or weeks without handling decomposing material.
5. Record changes through drawings or photographs within permissions.

Educator prompts

What do you think will happen to this? Why does compost change? What should not go in our compost?

Safety considerations

Children do not handle mould, animal waste, sharp waste or decomposing material. Wash hands thoroughly after participation. Follow service food and garden safety procedures.

Inclusion and accessibility

Children can participate through sorting clean examples, observing, photographing or adding pre-approved material with support.

Adaptations

Sort clean picture cards or fresh scraps before an adult manages the compost.

Extension ideas

Compare decomposition over time or use finished safe compost in a garden with appropriate handling.

Reflection prompts

Did children understand compost as a changing system rather than a one-day activity?