Eco-Friendly Childcare
What makes us an eco-friendly childcare?
A “green” child care centre is one that is environmentally friendly. As an eco-friendly child care centre, we take measures to ensure that the child care environment provides the best in health for our children.
The Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) provides an Eco-Healthy Child Care Checklist which has 25 environmental-health criteria for daycare centres.Of those 25 criteria, daycare centres must meet at least 20 of 25 items. We are proud to have met these standards and to have been the first daycare in Ottawa (and Ontario) endorsed by the OEC.
- We use non-toxic techniques both inside and outside our home to prevent and control pests (both insects and weeds). If a serious threat remains and pesticide application is the only viable option, parents are notified in advance and a licensed professional applies the least toxic, effective, product at a time when children will not be exposed to the application area for at least 12 hours.
- We avoid conditions that lead to excess moisture, which contributes to the growth of mold and mildew. We maintain adequate ventilation and air flow, we repair water leaks and we keep humidity within a desirable range.
- We do not allow cars or other vehicles to idle near our home.
- We do not permit smoking on our property or in sight of the children.
- We use biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products and least toxic disinfection products. When other products are required, they are used only for their intended purpose in strict accordance with all label instructions. We store cleaning products where children cannot access them.
- We only use chlorine bleach when and where it is required or recommended by licensing agencies or by the Day Nurseries Act.
- We use only low-VOC latex paints and do not paint when children are present.
- We use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula, and we run the water for 5-10 seconds or until it feels noticeably colder.
- We do not wear shoes in our home.
- We do not use any mercury-containing thermometers. Instead we use digital thermometers.
- We securely store and recycle all used batteries and fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs.
- Furniture is in good condition without foam or inside stuffing exposed (same goes for stuffed animals or any other foam item).
- We do not have wall-to-wall carpet in the main daycare areas.
- Area rugs are vacuumed daily and cleaned at least twice a year using biodegradable cleaners.
- We use only non-toxic art supplies approved by the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI).
- We avoid toys made with PVC and instead use toys that are made from natural, sustainable materials such as wood, cotton, cornstarch, bamboo, and soy.
- We recycle paper/cardboard, glass, aluminum, and plastic bottles and reuse as much as possible.
- We keep our garbage covered at all times to avoid attracting pests and to minimize odours.
- We offer natural, organic foods when possible and support local farmers. We limit processed foods.