Healthy changes in early learning environments can immediately benefit the well-being of young children and create toxin-free early learning settings. We work with early childhood education centers to educate and eradicate the use of toxic pesticides and cleaning products, encourage the installation of chemical-free furniture and carpets and toys, promote improved air and water quality and family education.
ECO Healthy Centers
Eco-Healthy
Child Care® program
Using the award-winning Eco-Healthy Child Care® program, WHE staff will meet with your team to identify low and no-cost best practices to immediately benefit the health and well-being of children and staff in your learning center. Upon successful completion of the program, your center will be designated as “Eco-Healthy.”
Green Cleaning for Child Care Providers
Green cleaning refers to the use of cleaning products with a reduced impact on human health and the environment, often because they have been re-formulated to eliminate the most potentially toxic ingredients. Child care providers recognize the important role cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting can have in maintaining an attractive, safe, hygienic environment and reducing the spread of germs. But, it is important to know when cleaning is good enough and when sanitation or disinfection, which may involve harsher chemicals, is called for.
Given the growing set of state requirements promoting green cleaning in early learning environments and schools and increased availability of green cleaning products, it is important for child care providers to know how to identify and use green cleaning products.
Resources
The following resources provide information about the dangers of cleaning products and the steps to take to utilize less toxic alternatives in a childcare setting.
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