GREAT PLACES TO PURCHASE USEFUL RESOURCES ON A TIGHT BUDGET!
The preschool that I work in is a ‘stand alone’, ‘not for profit’ incorporated association, governed by a parent committee of management. We receive some funding from our state government, which barely covers staff wages, and the balance of our income comes from parent fees and fundraising.
So, it pays to be resourceful under such circumstances! For me, this is not difficult. I love rummaging through second-hand stores, Opportunity shops, for useful resources.
In one such trip to a local store, this is what I found….
Nine great books in excellent condition for between (Au) $1 to $2 each!
This big bag of magnetic construction pieces for (Au) $7! It will compliment a small set that we already have, which not surprisingly, was significantly more expensive purchased new through an educational supplier.
And, these lovely little wooden sea-life threading beads for (Au) $2!
Total cost, (Au) $24! Now that’s what I call a bargain!
An additional benefit exists within this practice, embodied in the spirit of ‘recycling’. It does feel great to give items discarded by others a new lease of life.
We also pick up a large proportion of our art supplies from Resource Rescue to support and enhance our program.
So, may I say…
Happy Hunting! 🙂
Bingo! That is quite a haul!
Not bad, eh? 🙂
love the purchases you have made. I’m slowly getting back into op shop buying and have been amazed at the wonderful things I’ve been able to find and set out for the children to use. The best buy would have to have been 4 wooden birds which I then placed out with a variety of different props and left the rest up to the children…they were a great hit 🙂
For sure Julie! Little items, such as your birds with a variety of props, offer the opportunity for imaginative play that is very much child-centred. I often find the sales assistants look at me quite strangely when I arrive at the counter with my apparently ‘miss-matched’ items of bric-a-brac! 🙂
They are certainly some wonderful finds. I purchase plenty of my resources for work & they usually come from 3 main sources – 2 dollar shops, department stores & of course the op shops. The bottles that displayed my layered liquid: http://malesinearlychildhood.blogspot.com/2011/06/science-pt-1.html were bought from a local op shop.
I must go and have a look Bear! 🙂
I love buying second hand too! What does ’rounding’ mean on your receipt?
Well that is a long story, but once upon a time we used to have 1 cent and 2 cent pieces. As things became more expensive etc… etc… they really weren’t needed. So our Reserve Bank removed them from our currency. However, retailers will still advertise or price things at say, $19.98. As there are now no 2 cent pieces this is then ’rounded up’ to $20.00. Crazy isn’t it? 🙂
I LOVE THOSE BEADS! I am the queen of OP shopping – it’s my hobby – you got some great stuff. Have you seen my finds?
http://kreativeactivities.blogspot.com/search/label/Garage%20sale%20finds
This will make your head spin! LOL
My entire classroom probably cost $300 tops! LOL
Oh yes Leeanne I have seen your great finds! Great fun isn’t it? 🙂