Pound for pound children breathe more air than adults. Their rapidly growing bodies are especially vulnerable to environmental exposures. There are many potential environmental hazards in early childhood learning centers that can impact a child’s ability to learn, play and grow. With training and resources, these potential hazards can be reduced to create a healthier environment for children and staff.
Program Overview
1000 hours A Year Program
Science is clear: Lead and Radon impact children’s growth and learning, which is why WHE developed the 1000 Hours a Year Program. 1000 Hours a Year uses available grants to help schools, early learning centers and after-school programs in Allegheny County create healthier learning environments without the dangers of lead and radon poisoning. WHE’s Healthy Early Learning Centers Program helps facilitate these grant agreements to ensure Centers are receiving the resources necessary to ensure children’s learning environments are healthy. Visit the Program’s website using the link below for more information.
Greening Early Child Care Facilities
As parents, we want to make the best choices for our families inside and outside the home. To learn more about better ways to choose an early childhood center or about how to make changes within your center, read our fact sheet about Greening Early Child Care Facilities.
What You Can Do
- Learn about environmental exposures and adopt the Eco-Healthy Childcare Checklist® (contact us for technical assistance).
- With our assistance, staff can work together to create a multi-pronged approach to address potential exposures such as cleaning products, school supplies, mold, pesticides, and dust which can lead to poor air quality.
- Start a “green team” or “wellness committee” at your center to improve the overall health and well-being of children and staff.
- Request Healthy Schools PA visit your center for a free assessment or workshop, which can be delivered to staff and/or parents.
Eco-Healthy Childcare Checklist
The Children’s Environmental Health Network’s award winning Eco-Healthy Childcare Checklist® offers tips, tools and easy-to follow steps that will immediately benefit the health and well-being of the children in your care.
Interested in supporting this program?
For just $25, you can help us provide an environmentally friendly welcome kit to centers and help them “green” their facility, keeping both children and staff healthy and safe.
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