Nursery gets silver for going green
A new outdoor classroom has garnered Millington Road Nursery School in Cambridge a silver certificate from the Eco-Schools scheme.
The nursery, which was started four years ago, has developed the outdoor classroom so the children can go out every day in all weather and stay dry while doing activities with sand, water and playdough.
Principal Mary Field said, 'It is fantastic to be awarded the silver certificate after working so hard to be as green as possible.'
In order to meet the criteria for the silver certificate, Millington Road's environmental action team group of parents, staff and governors drew up a plan identifying ways that the nursery could be greener. Moves included using energy-saving lightbulbs, replacing leaky taps, using recycled paper and asking the cleaners to use environmentally-friendly products.
The nursery is also working with parents towards greener lifestyles, asking them to provide their children with organic snacks and encouraging them to use real nappies rather then disposables.
Secretary Helen Pemberton, who applied for the certificate on the school's behalf, said, 'We have hit our target, with 50 per cent of parents bringing organic snacks for their children.'
The children also recycle their food peelings in the nursery's compost bin and have planted bulbs in the garden. They even sing songs about the environment alongside traditional nursery rhymes.
Millington Road is now working towards achieving the Eco-Schools green flag certificate and developing the nursery's large garden to enable more outdoor play.
