Full Article - Published: 09/10/2009Written By: 01/01/1970

Teachers and nursery staff are being given a helping hand to get creative in their classrooms.

Materials like old curtains, unused card and paper, and other creative materials are being collected for a new scrap store - the first in Medway.

The store is the idea of Medway Council’s Professional Development Centre (PDC) Team who are based at the Early Years and Childcare Professional Development centre in Bligh Way, Strood. Medway’s early years and childcare staff will be able to visit the store and take materials to use with the children for a small fee.

Everyday household items like curtains can be cut up and used to make dressing up clothes, covers for den making, resources for story sacks, while paper can be used for drawing, painting and book making.
The scheme is being backed by the council’s Waste Minimisation Team for helping to reduce the amount of unnecessary waste, such as unused paper, being sent to landfill.

Donations have been received from businesses and individuals as well as from organisations including the Women’s Institute.

The PDC team has already had some very generous donations of paper, card and other creative materials, but they do need more if they are to make the scrap store a success.

They need clean, unused paper and card, clean material, such as tablecloths, curtains, tea towels, as well as anything else that may be suitable for children to use.

Medway Council’s Director of Children and Adult Services Rose Collinson said: “This is a wonderful and innovative scheme which will really benefit our youngest citizens and help them learn and achieve."

“The team can make use of so many items. Across Medway, our early years practitioners are amazingly resourceful and do a fantastic job in making sure we give children the very best start.”

You can donate items by phoning Petra on 01634 331488.