Trial in progress
Learn more below
Exploring ways to help reduce plastic waste
We are looking to further support and complement existing toy library and recycling programs on the Northern Beaches to meet environmental and community needs.
Between 25 November 2021 and 23 January 2022, we consulted with you and encouraged you to share your ideas below.
We identified various opportunities to work with Early Ed (Early Education Inc) Cubby House Toy Library, to:
- provide access to library meeting rooms for click and collect purposes
- promote Cubby House Toy Library volunteer opportunities.
This approach was presented at the the meeting on Tuesday 28 June 2022 where Council approved a 12-month trial partnership with the Cubby House Toy Library.
Thank you for contributing to our ideas board to help shape this outcome.
View the Council Minutes (Item10.3, page 24)
View the Council Report (Item 10.3, page 71) and Community Engagement Report.
Trial in progress
The Toy Library will be operating as a Click and Collect service from Thursday 27 April 2023 (during school terms) at Manly Library and Mona Vale Library.
Links to previous Council documents
The story so far
The Cubby House Toy Library is located at the rear of the Forestville Senior Citizens’ Centre and is a program of EarlyEd.
Cubby House Toy Library offers a wide range of quality toys, games, books, and gross motor equipment, selected to support all areas of child development. All are available for loan for a small annual subscription. The toys meet the needs of all children of all abilities. The service is supported by volunteers, but also provides families with access to advice from educators and allied health professionals. It has been a mainstay on the Northern Beaches since 1980 and long-supported by the community.
The Toy Library accepts donations of quality, well maintained, clean toys (excluding soft toys) by arrangement.
For enquiries about joining, donating or volunteering, Cubby House Toy Library may be contacted on 02 9923 2727 or via email at cubbyhouse@earlyed.com.au.
Volunteers at Peninsula Seniors Toy Recyclers at Ingleside accept toys in good condition and restore them to as new as possible. The upcycled toys are donated to children in need here and overseas.
The team accepts donations of all types of toys in good condition suitable for re-gifting after being cleaned and repaired. Donated toys may be left at Peninsula Seniors Toy Recyclers at 169A Mona Vale Road, Ingleside (next to Baha'i Temple entrance), between 9am and 12pm Monday to Thursday excluding public holidays.
Enquiries about volunteer opportunities with the team at Ingleside are welcome via email to cookt308@gmail.com.
Donations may also be left at the Toy Repair Shed at Area 4 at Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre, Kimbriki Road (off Mona Vale Road), Terrey Hills, between 7am and 5pm seven days a week.
Facilitated by recycling partner TerraCycle, BIG W’s Toys for Joy recycling program is aimed at reducing landfill by providing families with an easy and accessible disposal alternative.
Toys can be donated at BIG W Warringah Mall during store opening hours and are used to help make new, fun things for kids and communities to enjoy.
Most types of toys are suitable with the exception of: books, board games, wooden toys, Play-doh, paint and slime, pens, pencils, crayons or paint brushes, oversized toys such as bikes, scooters, skateboards and sports toys such as soccer goals.
Not-for-profit group Bikes 4 Life collects and restores unwanted bikes and gives them to those in need.
Unwanted bikes in good working condition may be donated at the Bikes 4 Life designated drop off zone at Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre, Kimbriki Road (off Mona Vale Road), Terrey Hills, between 8am – 4pm seven days a week, with the warehouse manager in attendance every Wednesday from 2pm – 4pm.
Bikes are restored at monthly community workshops held at Kimbriki and volunteers are welcome.
Please see the website for the workshop calendar and email sara@bikes4life.com.au to register interest.
In previous years, Council has run children’s clothing and toy swap events.
Ideas board
What’s missing from the story? What else could we be doing on the Northern Beaches? We asked you to tell us what you think below.
We provided a few tips to get you started:
- What other existing programs or initiatives are you aware of?
- What role could Council play in supporting a toy library concept?
- What role could Council play in supporting toy recycling?
- What other role could Council play?
Have an enquiry?
| Name | Maeva Masterson, Executive Manager Library Services |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1300 434 434 (during business hours) |
| council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au |
Banner photo by Baby Natur on Unsplash
