Cosham nurseries given Green Flag Eco-Schools status for sustainability

The nursery provider, which has branches across the south coast including in Cosham at Lakeside North Harbour and Queen Alexandra Hospital, have been awarded the status after being assessed on nine key criteria covering biodiversity, energy, litter, global citizenship, healthy living, grounds, transport, waste and water.

The nurseries even had a sustainable Christmas with eco-crackers, recycled wrapping paper for pass the parcel games and a focus on minimising food waste.

Managing director Cheryl Hadland said: ‘Being the first large nursery chain in the UK to achieve Green Flags across the board is the best gift I could have asked for. I believe the education of our children is the most effective way there is to provide a sustainable environment into the future; by instilling a passion in our colleagues and children to learn more about how everyone can make sustainable decisions each day.

‘We have continued to be open throughout the pandemic, adapting to all the challenges as and when they hit us. It’s a huge salute to staff resilience that they have been able to focus on positive sustainability with the children, despite the negative news surrounding them.’

SEE ALSO: Nurseries and pre-schools in Portsmouth set for £2,700 grants for Covid recovery

Funding for the Green Flag external assessment costs for all the nurseries was donated by the children’s clothing brand Frugi.

Frugi’s head of marketing Lara Smrtnik said: ‘A huge congratulations to Tops Day Nurseries on their Green Flag award, supported by Frugi, and for all their hard work in raising awareness about our environment. Benefiting children, communities, and our environment, the Green Flag award from Eco-Schools is part of our collective global effort to support the education of children on sustainable and environmental issues and to help them to change our world for the better.’

The Eco-Schools is a global programme engaging millions of children across 64 different countries, making it the largest environmental schools programme in the world.

Tops Day Nurseries have also been shortlisted for Nursery World’s new award category, the ‘Eco-Friendly Early Years’ Award.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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