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!
-
Do you serve organic food?
-
Do
you use non-chemical methods to control pests in or around your
facility?
- 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?
- 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?
- Do you avoid the use of scented products, such as air fresheners and candles?
- Do you avoid toys made of soft vinyl (PVC) plastic? Do you regularly check for any recalled toys and promptly remove them?
- Do
you flush pipes (until water is as cold as it can get) before collecting water for drinking or cooking?
- Do you avoid the use of beverage containers (such as baby bottles, sippy cups, and water bottles) made of polycarbonate plastic?
- Do you encourage people to wipe their shoes before entering, or maintain a shoe-free facility?
- Do you only use art and craft supplies approved by ACMI (Art & Creative Materials Institute)?
- Do you maintain adequate ventilation and correct moisture problems that can cause mold growth?
- 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)?
- Is your playground equipment free of treated wood?
Resources:
Seattle/King County Public Health Child Care Health ProgramModel 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
Safe Start For Kids Home


