A Bollington early years educational institution is to benefit from Co-op Funding.

Until October, the Co-op in Macclesfield and their members are raising money for Allsorts Pre-school. 

Allsorts Pre-school is a small, non-profit pre-school that provide care for children from aged two-and-a-half to five years.

They operate from an empty classroom on the site of Bollington St John's CE Primary School, and as a charity are totally independent from the school. 

(Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

They are run by a committee of parents who spend time over the year fundraising to enable us to improve both the indoor and outdoor environment for our youngest children.  

It is not the first time they have been selected for the Co-op Local Community Fund.

Macclesfield Nub News spoke to Beth Cragg, Chair of the Allsorts Parent Committee, to find out what they will do with the money. 

"We have previously received money from the Co-op Community Fund to help us purchase a new mud kitchen and generally update our outdoor area," said Beth.

Parents and children on a recent 'group tidy' of their outdoor area.

"For many years, our local Co-op in Bollington also provided fruit for snack time to our small pre-school community to enable the children to embrace healthy eating habits.

"Many of our pre-school families, staff and extended family members are Co-op members and have been for a number of years.

"We applied for the community grant from the Co-op so we could replace our broken greenhouse with a potting shed for the children to grow, tend and harvest vegetables, sharing the produce to inspire families and the wider community."

Allsorts currently have four members of pre-school staff and eighteen children on roll.

Becoming a Co-op member can save you money on food as well as raising money for Co-op Local Community fund causes like Allsorts. 

Beth went on to detail how the Co-op cash will benefit the children. 

"At our pre-school children take responsibility for the outdoor area - sweeping, tidying, planting and composting," she said.

"During the winter and spring time children sow seeds, grow them in the greenhouse, plant them in the beds and carefully water them through the summer months. 

"All the hard work is rewarded when they harvest and share the organically grown produce, eating it fresh from the pre-school garden or taking it home to share. 

"Families and extended families are encouraged to help tend our planting area through stay and play sessions, working together to inspire an interest in planting and growing at home. 

"This is particularly important now, during the cost of living crisis, as gardening helps lower levels of anxiety and depression, boosts physical health, wellbeing and a sense of community."

Beyond this Co-op grant, the pre-school is funded via the Funded Early Education Entitlement, Fee paying parents and carers and via fundraising events organised by our voluntary committee of parents. 

"At Allsorts, we embrace a child led, play-based learning environment," Beth added. 

"Children can explore both the indoor and outdoor environments enabling them to be inquisitive, and investigate and experience new things. 

"They are supported to develop their own ideas, selecting and using the resources which they choose.  

"Children are highly engaged in their play, leading to deeper level meaningful learning, supported by skilled staff in the teachable moment. 

"Our setting is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and supporting families, extended family members and other carers irrespective of background.

"We can not thank the Co-op members enough for choosing to donate to our cause. We are overwhelmed by the amount raised so far and are looking forward to being able to replace our greenhouse before the end of the year. 

"The Co-op itself has been extremely supportive of our cause over many years in a variety of different ways so a massive thank you must go to them without a doubt."

To become a Co-op member and start earning rewards to get money off your shop, please click HERE. 

Co-op Macclesfield Member Pioneer Louise Little said: "I was delighted that All Sorts pre-school were chosen as a local cause by Bollington and Prestbury Co-op stores."

"They are a wonderful, supportive and nurturing pre-school and it's clear the staff care deeply about caring for and supporting the children to learn.

"All pre-schools are struggling financially to provide those extras for children and these extra funds will help All Sorts continue to improve their outside space and encourage children to be passionate about nature and the outdoors."