Choosing a Healthy Childcare Facility

When choosing a childcare facility for your child, it makes good sense to look for one that is taking steps to reduce children’s exposure to toxic chemicals. 

Here is a checklist of thirteen questions you can ask while searching.  The more questions they can answer ‘yes,’ the better!

1. Do you serve organic food?

2. Do you use non-chemical methods to control pests in or around your facility?  
   
3. Do you avoid using cleaning products labeled with the signal words WARNING, DANGER, or POISON (with the exception of chlorine bleach), or use least-toxic alternatives like baking soda, vinegar, and liquid soap?
4. Was your facility constructed before 1978?  If so, are you keeping the facility free of flaking or peeling paint, and regularly cleaning areas around doors and windows?
5. Do you avoid the use of scented products, such as air fresheners and candles?
6. Do you avoid toys made of soft vinyl (PVC) plastic?  Do you regularly check for any recalled toys and promptly remove them?
7. Do you flush pipes (until water is as cold as it can get) before collecting water for drinking or cooking?
   
8. Do you avoid the use of beverage containers (such as baby bottles, sippy cups, and water bottles) made of polycarbonate plastic?
9. Do you encourage people to wipe their shoes before entering, or maintain a shoe-free facility?
10. Do you only use art and craft supplies approved by ACMI (Art & Creative Materials Institute)?
11. Do you maintain adequate ventilation and correct moisture problems that can cause mold growth?
12. Is upholstered furniture in good condition, without exposed foam?  Is solid furniture primarily made of solid wood (instead of manufactured wood products such as particleboard)?
13. Is your playground equipment free of treated wood?

Resources:

Model Pesticide Policy for Child Care Providers
Model Health Policy for Child Care Providers
http://www.metrokc.gov/health/childcare/mhp/

Center for Environmental Health
The Safe Playground Project
http://www.safe2play.org 

Oregon Environmental Council
Eco-Healthy Childcare Program
http://www.oeconline.org/kidshealth/ecohealthychildcare

 
Childcare Resources of King County
http://www.childcare.org/

Leads efforts to promote equity for children, community stability, and school readiness by:

• helping families access and choose high quality child and after school care.
• partnering with providers and caregivers to offer excellent care.
• advocating for child care solutions that strengthen communities.

 
Within Reach (formerly Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies)
Child care referrals and financial assistance: call 1-800-322-2588
http://www.withinreachwa.org/ourservices/child_care.htm

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