Nursery childrens’ eco refill shop opens doors
ECO-CONSCIOUS nursery children have branded their refill venture the ‘Just a Jar Shop’.
The outlet selling dry foods – such as pasta and fruits – are priced in simple whole numbers and weighed out by the pre-school youngsters.
The shop, which opened its doors on Good Friday, is situated in a shed beside First Nursery, in Kingsland Square, built by Alan Hunter.
Nursery pupil Teddy Blaik, four, told the Peeblesshire News: “There is no plastic except reusable things in our shop.”
One way the shop operates is for parents to give their children a list of items in the morning and these are made up during the day.
Last Tuesday morning, four pupils all aged four: Summer McLean, Teddy Blaik, Rory McGregor and Eadie Forrest took turns to serve their parents and make up orders.
This included weighing out items in quantities of 100 grams upwards, taking the money and giving change, assisted by First Nursery owner and manager Margot Smolenska.
Afterwards the children swept the floor to “make sure the shop is kept clean”.
Ms Smolenska said: “For a few years the nursery has been working on the principles of the Surfers Against Sewage Campaign ‘Plastic Free Nurseries’ and has been awarded ‘Plastic Free Nursery’ status.
“This has involved litter picks in the local area and teaching the children about the impact single use plastic has on our planet.
“The children have spent time looking at alternatives to plastic.”
Nursery initiatives have included its meat supplier WTS Forsyths using reusable plastic containers, switching to glass milk bottles and making its own yoghurt.
Ms Smolenska added: “Following the success of our Plastic Free Nurseries Campaign, we wanted to continue to raise awareness and look for ways to ways to help families reduce plastic waste.
“With the support of staff, the children have been involved in the planning of the shop, deciding the jobs which need to be done, making signs, cleaning the shop, ordering products and labelling boxes.
“It is our intention that the children will continue to lead everything, serving our customers, weighing out ingredients, taking money and keeping the shop tidy.
“Not only will the project promote reducing single use plastic, it also provides the children with valuable learning opportunities in literacy and numeracy.”