Students celebrating their “new” play structure!
John Grey Painting has helped the Children's Education Center live up to one of their top priorities as a nature preschool, to reduce, reuse and recycle! On their playground is a wonderful play structure that while it was still fully functional, stood out like a sore thumb. It was large and blue with faded red handles. It had been discussed to tear the structure down, but the opportunities it offered the students in improving their gross motor skills with climbing and balancing, as well as the creative play, imagining that the play structure was a pirate ship or a submarine, were unmatched.
The preschool Director, Cindy DeCosta, discussed with John Grey over a Rotary breakfast the possibility of painting the play structure using specialized paint to adhere to the plastic as well as withstand the hot Florida sun. Using his expertise, said it would be no problem.
"The Children's Education Center truly appreciates the generosity of John Grey Painting in helping us with our dilemma. While it may be an easy paint job for them, allowing us to fulfill one of our nature school objectives is huge to us! It allowed us to save a substantial amount of money as well as reduce, reuse and recycle!"
In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic that the nature preschool uses, all students bring in their own water bottle daily, allowing the use of plastic cups to be eliminated dramatically, and the preschool encourages parents to pack their child’s lunch using reusable containers rather than plastic bags for their food.
John grey painting has been a gracious family-run business on the islands of Sanibel and Captiva for over 50 years. “It’s important to us to support our neighbors,” said John Grey, owner of John Grey Painting. “We are happy to partner with The Children’s Education Center and be a small part in creating a positive learning environment for island kids.”
The Children's Education Center of the Islands is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Preschool offering full-time and part-time classes for children ages 12 months to 5 years. The preschool is still accepting applications for the 2018-2019 school year, as well as for enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year. Summer Camps are also offered. Scholarships are also available on a limited basis. For more information, call Ms. Cindy at the preschool at 472-4538 or email cindy@childrenseducationcenter.com.
Inspecting and adding final touches!
The play sturcture before being painted.