EarlyEd’s Cubby House Toy Library Repairs, Recycles and Reuses Toys
Being a member, volunteering or donating to the toy library does more than support children’s play and learning. It supports our environment by reducing waste.
Hear how our volunteers recognise how their contribution is making difference to the local environment.
EarlyEd’s Cubby House Toy Library repairs, recycles and reuses toys. Northern Beaches Council recognised co-ordinator Sandra Gillet’s contribution to this valuable service with an Outstanding Community Service Award at the Council ceremony in January 2022. Cubby House Toy Library has been operating for 40 years and Sandra has been at the helm as Co-ordinator for 30 of those years!
This award recognised Sandra’s commitment over this long period keeping:
- the Toy Library flourishing and adapting
- her team of volunteers maintaining, sorting and packing toys for loan and
- parents with a financially and environmentally friendly alternative to buying toys.
The Northern Beaches community has been helping the Cubby House thrive over these years, with Northern Beaches Council it’s major partner, and the local clubs supporting it through grants when possible. Cubby House started due to the vision of two women looking to provide support to families with children with special needs. Nan Bosler & Pat Frater, dedicated many, many years to nurture and sustain its operation. The Toy Library had been running in Dee Why since 1979 and had become an important and unique part of Children’s Services in the Northern Beaches making play and learning opportunities accessible for children.
When Cubby House faced closure in 2014 EarlyEd took it under its wing, seeking to retain this important service for families of the Northern Beaches. It has now grown and lately has become the only toy library in the northern area of Sydney!
There is more to do to support our environment, but it is great to be part of a program that has created a solution that makes a difference. When you drive past a council clean up next time think about what an impact toy libraries have in reducing waste.
With over 2,200 resources including bikes, blocks, books and baby toys the Cubby House Toy library has been supporting thousands of hours of play for thousands of children over its 40 years. Sandra says she has been motivated to keep working as coordinator of the Toy Library. “I come across parents many years later who still have such positive thoughts about their time as members. The enthusiasm and dedication of the people I’ve worked with, without exception, especially volunteers, has been infectious and inspired me to do the best I could. And it’s been fun.” How could working with toys not be?
At the moment the library is offering a COVID safe online borrowing approach with Click ‘n Collect. Hopefully soon we will be able to also get back to browsing. If you want to know more about joining the library or volunteering, visit here for more information or call 02 99232727 so you too can have fun with toys!
Congratulations on your well-deserved award Sandra! Thank you, Northern Beaches Council for your ongoing support.
