Solving a problem for time and resource-poor parents has led to Milestones Early Learning Everton Park Centre Manager Tina Barbour being recognised by Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner in the annual WasteSMART Brisbane Awards.
“The decision to create a sustainable clothes swap in our centre resulted from our most recent Affinity Quality Assessment, and consultation with our team around Quality Area 3 which refers to sustainable practices being meaningful when they are consistent, embedded into practice and communicated to families,” explained Tina.
“We had for many years already practiced recycling waste, and as we reflected on the current financial situation facing many families we realised what a benefit it would be to invite them to swap clothes which were in good condition.”
The Milestones Early Learning Everton Park Family Clothes Swap was created, and the service was recognised out of a group of three early learning finalists at the formal WasteSMART Awards for the initiative.
“We’re thrilled to receive this recognition but the main benefit is what we are offering our families – it's in line with our Affinity Value of ‘Going Above and Beyond’ and we know it makes a difference,” Tina said.
Queensland State Manager Caz Laramy was thrilled to congratulate Tina and the Everton Park team on their win.
“It’s a big boost for such a genuinely amazing group of educators, Milestones Early Learning Everton Park really do live up to the adage ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ - not only are they providing exceptional quality learning through our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, but they also do so much to make families lives easier,” Caz said.