Holly Browning, 37, is the kind of childcare professional every child deserves: enthusiastic, cheerful, and full of good ideas. She has worked at Partou Alexandra since 2016, mostly as a manager. Sustainability is important in her personal life. "I have always looked for and implemented eco-friendly solutions in my own life. It's a way of life I pass on to our sons as well. So I found it disappointing that this wasn’t reflected at the nursery. That’s why in 2022, I launched a plan to make Partou Alexandra a plastic-free daycare."
She believes the way people treat the world and nature today will have a major impact on children's lives. "Children should learn about recycling and sustainability through play from an early age," Holly explains. "Teach them about the impact on the planet and climate if we don’t change our behaviour. In the UK, schools are already embracing this: around 3,400 schools have joined the Plastic Free School Accreditation. But at daycare settings, this is still much less common."
Playful learning
Holly’s team has introduced changes in various ways. "We teach children about nature and sustainability in a fun, hands-on way," she says. "We take them to the garden or park and pick up litter – the ‘trash mob.’ At the same time, we explain how waste left in nature negatively affects animals and plants."
Books about the planet
Books are also used to convey the message. "We read stories about nature and the importance of a clean, sustainable planet," Holly says. "There are also children's books about Greta Thunberg and her mission in life. These help spark conversations with the kids and teach them why taking care of the earth is important. It’s great when they start asking questions themselves."
Another educational project involves a large water tank with small sea creatures, where children were allowed to drop disposable plastic as an experiment. "We quickly remove the plastic so the animals aren’t harmed," Holly explains. "But the children get to see firsthand how much impact it has when you put things in the water that don’t belong there." There is also a small garden where children can grow their own vegetables and eventually eat them.
Porcelain cups
Over the past three years, plastic has largely disappeared from the daycare. "It started with recyclable food and vegetable packaging," says Holly. "But now, we have almost no plastic toys. We prefer wooden toys and explain why. If we organise a tea party, we use porcelain cups and plates. It’s more fun and also teaches children to handle delicate items with care."
Even new furniture now comes from second-hand shops, or parents are asked to donate items they no longer need but are still usable. The team even uses pens made from cardboard instead of plastic. "There’s one exception," Holly laughs. "Lego. There’s no real substitute for that, and it’s a toy that can always be reused."
Spreading the message
Parents are also involved in the message behind the Plastic Free School Accreditation. "It’s so important that children learn this at a young age," Holly says. "We share this not only with parents but also through social media and local media."
The next step is a partnership with the National Trust, a British organisation that promotes green initiatives. "We’re raising funds so we can plant a tree for every child."
A commitment to care
No matter where Partou is, we strive to make a difference: for children, families, our people, and the planet. Curious about what we do, what we dream of, and the challenges we face?