Babies have their green nursery
The first ecological day nursery on Reunion Island was inaugurated in Saint-André the day before yesterday. This is Béb'écolos, a structure that can accommodate 20 babies, aged 1 to 3, which was set up by Nadine Fontaine, director of the establishment.
It was in January 2008 that the idea of an ecological nursery was born in the mind of Nadine Fontaine. She is then on parental leave. Drawing on her experience in the Early Childhood Department of Saint-André Town Hall, she decided to set up her project and seek funding, with the support of the Development Agency. Then a year and a half later, she achieved the culmination of this project and the opening of this first ecological day nursery in Reunion.
Many characteristics allow this structure to be qualified as ecological. First the cloth diapers. Until around 3 years old, a baby uses more than a ton of disposable, non-recyclable diapers. The use of cloth diapers requires the use of a washing machine and therefore energy, but these expenses are derisory compared to the waste created by disposable diapers.
The organic vegetable garden is another key element of the project. In the medium term, it will make it possible to produce vegetables for consumption in the nursery and to introduce the little ones to the virtues of organic gardening. Watering will be provided by a rainwater collector. The nursery is also equipped with a water filter to avoid the purchase of bottles.
Ecology is also selective sorting. Each room in the nursery is equipped with the number of bins required for sorting. Finally, on the maintenance side, green waste is composted and cleaning products are certified by an eco-label.
This nursery also has an educational role. It makes children aware of eco-friendly gestures, but also allows parents to learn and reproduce them at home. Nadine Fontaine, for her part, wants her establishment to be "imitated" in future crèche creation projects so that ecology has its place with the little ones.
Source: http://www.temoignages.re/les-bebes-ont ... 38479.html