Articles > Eco Childcare
Mummy is Back to Work!
How to make sure your childcare provider will keep up your eco habits
Going back to work is an emotional moment for both mother and child. It is hard to believe that someone else will take care of our little ones the same way we do. But mummies do need to go back to work, and children do need to find their new friends at the daycare.
Most of us, parents, do our best to avoid exposing our kids to chemicals in our homes. But have you thought about daycare and preschool? Lots of daycares and preschools have PVC sleeping mats, use toxic chemical cleaning products, pesticides and most toys are made of PVC plastics, not talking about non-organic food served at most UK nurseries. But if you are a childcare provider, changes are easy and worth a try. By doing very little effort as reducing chemicals in certain cleaning products, for example, you help prevent illnesses like asthma, certain learning disabilities, and even some forms of cancer.
There is an Eco-Healthy Childcare Program established already is USA, where lost of the nurseries and preschools are going green, but the “eco daycare” idea is, unfortunately, still a novelty in the UK. The USA Eco-Healthy Child Care (EHCC) program helps child care settings be healthy, safe and green. EHCC supports child care providers as they make simple choices that benefit the health and well-being of all children in their care. This program offers free trainings, marketing and an endorsement for USA childcare providers.
Some UK nurseries and childcare providers may try hard to embrace the green idea, but there are not clear regulations to ensure a daycare which is safe for the children and environmental friendly. If you are a “green family” and have established good eco habits at home, how to make sure your childcare provider will do the same and will prevent your child from the nasty chemicals?
Here is a simple 10-steps checklist for parents and childcare providers who want to choose environments that are safe, healthy, and free of chemicals for our little loved ones.
Food
Use only fresh and organic produce in cooking; serve homemade food prepared by an in-house chef.
Provide hormone-free meals by buying only organic and free-range meat, milk and eggs.
Toys
Provide wooden toys with non-toxic paint.
You could also run a “recycle your toy” event and ask parents and children to bring any wooden/non-toxic toys and books for your daycare center or preschool. This is also a great way for our kids to learn how to give and share!
Bedding, mats, and blankets
Provide PVC-free sleeping mats, organic cotton/ bamboo/ hemp bedding and blankets.
Furniture, walls and floors
Choose furniture made from solid wood and ground coverings made from natural fibers.
Avoid wall-to-wall synthetic carpet.
When remodeling, choose low- to no-VOC paint.
Cleaning materials
Choose mild, non-toxic or biodegradable cleaning products.
Consider homemade cleaning solutions that are phosphate-free.
Provide natural, organic and toxic-free soaps in the bathroom, along with reusable towels washed frequently by non-toxic washing powder or liquid.
Food equipment
Provide reusable containers for lunch boxes and cloth napkins
Only use BPA-free bottles and food equipment. Get bamboo, BPA-free plastic, stainless steel or melamine plates and cups. By contacting the manufacturer, your daycare may be able to get a great discount! Parents can also bring their own BPA-free bottles, sippy cups and plates.
Playground and facilities
Bring the classroom outside as often as possible
Create a garden for the children outside the premises, growing vegetables for harvest and use in the nursery’s kitchen. This will ensure non-toxic and fresh produce and will help children care for the environment.
Water and energy consumption
Teach children to conserve water and energy by turning lights and taps off.
Waste
Provide recycling bins in each classroom and teach children how to use them
Use trash bags which are biodegradable.
Try to reduce and recycle all paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum and plastic bottles.
Air
Open windows to allow for natural ventilation
Make sure high moisture areas are well ventilated to avoid mold and mildew
Avoid air fresheners.
Premises must be non-smoking area at all times.
If you have any additional simple yet effective tips for encouraging a greener daycare, we would love to have your comment. Please share is here with other green parents and childcare providers.
![[Twitter]](/Images/clip_image002_0002.gif){kind=small}
How to Treat and Prevent Babies and Kids' Eczema Naturally
When my little one was 2-month old, she has been diagnosed with severe eczema. Poor girl was crying all the time, her skin was dry, red and scaly, she couldn’t sleep and… I was feeling devastated. Doctors prescribed steroid creams, which made me even more nervous and worried than before, because of the possible side effects. As a first-time mum, I didn’t know what to do, or where to seek advice. Then I started talking to people, reading books and researching on the Internet for advice on… Read more
Your Guide to Mother and Baby Winter Essentials
Is it just great when the winter is white and when kids have lots of fun playing outside, making snowmen? Rather than spending the weekend in front of the TV, join the kids outside and have fun together as a family! Even when temperatures go below zero, it is still beneficial even for the very small children and babies to go out for a short walk and have some fresh air. Just make sure you’ve got handy your winter essentials…Read more
The Real Nappy Guide
A friend of mine told me a story the other day. She’s got a 2-year old lovely daughter, Ester. When Ester was a baby, mum started her on disposable nappies. Baby constantly had nappy rash, so my friend had to change different nappy brands, from Pampers and Huggies to food retailers’ own nappy brand… but no difference at all – they were all full of lotions and nasty chemicals, irritating the newborn gentle skin. Besides, I wasn’t aware about… Read more
What’s Really in Your Toddler’s Breakfast
I am sure every parent is aware of the importance of giving breakfast to children, but how aware you are then it comes to ingredients in your toddler’s bowl? Healthy breakfast options containing appropriate for kids level of salt and sugar is what we need to look for. With some expert help, we did a cereal breakfast research, aiming to establish the salt and sugar level in different cereal and porridge brands, and to find out what are really the healthy options. The results were… Read more
How to Naturally Pamper Yourself in New Year’s Eve
The day before New Year’s Eve it’s time to have a "day off" from the daily routine, leave kids to enjoy their quality time with daddy and find a way to indulge yourself. How we feel is not necessarily related to our outlook, but it does boost the confidence, right? So don’t underestimate it, but rather take advantage of those stolen few hours of “me-time” and pamper yourself naturally, following those 5 easy steps... Read more
Christmas Gift Guide: The Perfect Baby and Toddler Eco-Friendly Toys
“Dear Santa, My name is Veronica, I am 2 years old now, and this year I've been sooo good that I deserve the best gift ever! But I am a bit confused – the problem is that I can’t decide what gift to wish for… so I am leaving to you to bring me the toy that you know I would enjoy most. I am sure this toy would be made with all your love, inspired by every funny day spent with me during this year.”… Read more
Planning a Toddler Christmas Party? – Get Some Healthy Party Snacks Ideas
You are invited to your toddler Christmas party at the nursery, and need to bring some party treats for the kids. Or throwing a Christmas party for your child’s friends and neighbours? I guess many parents would go for some mince pies and cakes, but I will give you a healthier choice. And I bet your little ones would enjoy it even more!... Read more
Have a Magic Eco-Friendly Christmas
Christmas is knocking on the door, so it's time to prepare. How about, apart from dreaming of white Christmas, you think about making it a bit greener this year? If you like the idea, start discussing your intentions to have a green Christmas with your family early in the season... Read more
How to Fight Swine Flu in Babies and Children Naturally
Cases of Swine flu are doubling in the UK weekly, and more and more parents are getting concern about their children's health and the possible side effects of the prescribed Tamiflu for babies and small kids. Well, there is always a better (and safer) alternative, and in this case is to prevent and treat flu naturally. First of all, try to boost your child's natural body defence by… Read more
Eco Halloween – Boo!
With just a few weeks to go, there is enough time to prepare for Halloween. And to think about how to give it some eco twist, without missing out all the fun. Here are some tips on having a “green” Halloween – from Trick-or-Treating to hosting a Halloween party… Read more
The Healing Power of Water Therapy
Did you know that water can “absorb” our emotions? – There have been lots of studies proving that water structure changes according to peoples’ thoughts, either positive or negative. In a way our emotions are being absorbed by the water, and might be kept there for ages. Our feelings and thoughts affect the health of our bodies… Read more
Summer is Bright, Summer is Colourful… but Why Don’t you Make it a Bit “Greener”
It’s summer time, and the family vacation is on its way! Having a baby on board or small children makes the holiday planning even more exciting… and tricky. If you have chosen to be a green parent, it is possible to keep on with your eco habits… Read more
Healthy Mother and Baby through Ayurveda
From birth each baby is individual, has already a personality, waiting to become more visible to others. One baby may sleep well and sooth easily, while other may be restless even when not hungry, wet or in pain. There is a science explaining why people are different, and, by its individual approach, “recommends” a specific lifestyle… Read more
What’s the difference between an allergy and intolerance?
If you think your child has a food allergy or intolerance, then it's important to get a proper diagnosis. Don't cut food groups out of your diet without medical advice, because she could miss out on important… Read more
Feng Shui for Kids! How to help your children grow and develop in a positive way and enhance family harmony
There are no bad children, only bad behaviour. Our environment affects our behaviour. We know what to expect if we give our kids a lot of sugar or caffeine. They will bounce off the walls. We know what to expect if… Read more
Help Your Kids "Go Green"
Recycling, reusing, waste-reducing – if you really want to make a difference, it’s better to do it together. Children will copy you in everything you do, so the best way to help them “go green” is to be a good role model yourself. So... Read more
Create a Children's Garden
A children's garden is an excellent way to create a safe, summer place to continue learning. In his own garden a child can observe and discover while he interacts with nature. An ideal children's garden will be completely safe and kid friendly. This means no chemical fertilizers or pesticides... Read more