Cygnets Pre-School is appealing to the local community for donations of specific items as it embarks on a quest to dramatically reduce its reliance on plastics.
Since January this year, the pre-school, set in the grounds of Westbury Leigh Primary School, has been replacing plastic toys and play equipment with items that are natural, organic and pre-loved. These items help to support the pre-school’s philosophy, inspired by the ‘curiosity approach’ – developing into a home-from-home environment that allows children to explore different objects and materials, inspiring their natural curiosity and learning.
For example, thanks to a recent donation from Westbury Cricket Club, the children are enjoying their drinks and snacks from china plates and tea cups rather than plastic alternatives and even choosing the cups over their own plastic water bottles in order to be part of the experience.
Manager Emma Osmond says, “The children have responded fantastically to the new approach and are really enjoying exploring the new items we have introduced so far, which range from interesting shells and seed pods to an old typewriter. Our ultimate goal is to develop the setting using recycled or up-cycled and natural items wherever possible, eliminating our reliance on traditional plastic toys. We would be extremely grateful to any members of the local community who are able to assist by donating items on our ‘wish list’.”
The current wish list includes: Large logs; solid planks (mixture of lengths); strong crates; railway sleepers (to construct a new sand pit); baskets (mixture of sizes); small wooden boxes; china ornaments; hats, glasses and old shoes for dressing up; costume jewellery. Anyone with items to donate is asked to contact Emma Osmond on 01373 827555 or e-mail info@ cygnetspreschool.co.uk
