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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.
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