About the Program
Through in-person assessments, we provide childcare facilities with small changes that make a big impact—actionable, low-cost, eco-friendly strategies to reduce environmental hazards.
Our staff works with facilities 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.
Benefits of Participation
Why Become a Healthy Childcare Champion?
- Protect children’s health: Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of environmental toxins.
- Aligns with PA licensing standards.
- Create a healthier learning environment: A clean and safe space promotes optimal child development.
- Achievable goals: Designed for all facilities to easily meet the requirements to earn Keystone STARS bonus points.
- Enhance your reputation.
- Access resources and support: Gain valuable knowledge and tools to improve your facility.
Small Changes, Big Impact
Pound for pound, children breathe more air than adults. Their rapidly growing bodies are especially vulnerable to environmental exposures. There are many potential hazards in childcare facilities that can impact a child’s ability to learn, play, and grow.
Exposures can include art and science supplies, toys, playground equipment, cleaning products, building materials, pesticides, furniture, and carpet, just to name a few. With training and resources, each of these exposures can be reduced to create a healthier environment for children and staff. Our goal is to provide recommendations for solutions, policies, and practices that will immediately benefit the health and well-being of children and staff in facilities.
Our Service Area
Serving childcare facilities across Pennsylvania, the Healthy Childcare Champions program is dedicated to making every childcare space a healthy environment where children can learn, play, and grow.
Healthy Childcare Champion Facilities provide:
- a safe and healthy environment for children
- clean water, clean air and improved indoor air quality
- a facility safe from environmental hazards like lead or radon
- green cleaning practices that minimize asthma and allergy triggers
Become a Healthy Childcare Champion
It’s Easy! We guide you every step of the way. Earn 4 CEUs & 2 points in Leadership and Management for Keystone STARS.
Receive 1:1 training, guidance, and resources from WHE staff to address potential environmental health exposures.
WHE will provide essential items like walk-off mats, green cleaning supplies, glass microwave containers, and no smoking/anti-idling signage to support your facility’s health and well-being goals.
Thank You!
A heartfelt thank you to our grant funders, the US EPA and the Hillman Foundation. Your generous grants fuel our mission to using a scientific approach to achieve equitable lives free of environmental harms through advocacy and community-based programs.