Eco-Friendly Childcare

We are recognized as an Eco-Healthy Childcare Center! 

Happy Hollow has had a long time commitment to being a safe and healthy environment for children. The Oregon Environmental Council recognizes our efforts and we are now designated as an Eco-Healthy Childcare Center.

An Eco Healthy designation ensures that childcare settings are as environmentally healthy as possible. 

What does this mean? In order to qualify for this designation you must meet certain criteria.  Here are some of the ways we work towards providing a safe and eco-friendly environment: 

• We prevent pest naturally with non-toxic methods. Our garden is organic and we do not use any pesticides or herbicides anywhere on our grounds.
• We keep our indoor air clean by being smoke free, and using essential oils for air fresheners.
• We use environmentally friendly cleaning products that are non-toxic and we do not use any aerosol sprays.
• We keep the lead out by preventing lead exposure from drinking water and paint.
• We use thermometers without mercury.
• We use non-toxic art supplies.
• We do not warm food up in the microwave in plastic.
• We practice the 3 R’s - reduce, reuse and recycle.
• We even compost our leftovers in our worm bin!
• We have replaced most of our floor covering with Marmoleum, an eco-friendly floor covering choice!

We believe in making as healthy choices as possible to make our center and the outside world a safe and healthy place for children to spend their day.  We will continue to share information about being eco-healthy so we can all learn together to help make the world a healthier place for the future.

For more information and eco-health choice go to the Oregon Environmental Council at www.oeconline.org

1. We grow, purchase and use organic fruits and vegetables for snacks and lunch.  We thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables to avoid possible exposure to pesticides and we take the opportunity to educate children about the importance of doing so. 

2. We use all non-toxic biodegradable household cleaning products to disinfect surfaces, toys, dishes, floors, cloths and carpets.  We store cleaning products where children cannot access them.

3. We use chlorine beach only when and where it is required or recommended by state and local authorities. 

4. We avoid conditions that lead to excess moisture, because moisture contributes to the growth of mold and mildew.  We maintain adequate ventilation.  We repair water leaks and keep humidity to within a desirable range (30-50%). 

5. We do not use manufactured air fresheners or aerosol sprays of any kind.

6. We do not allow cars or other vehicles to idle in our designated parking areas.

7. We do not allow smoking on our premises at any time.

8. We only use low VOC household paint and do not paint when children are present.

9. To avoid possible lead exposure from water lines, we use only cold water for drinking and cooking after running the water for 10-30 seconds or until it feels noticeably colder.

10. Our facility was built after 1978, after lead paint was banned, and we keep the building free of flaking or peeling paint.  We use lead safe practices when removing lead-based paint or when renovating our facility, and we have visited www.epa.gov/lead to learn more.

11. To avoid possible lead exposure, we do not use imported, old or handmade pottery to cook, store or serve food or drinks.

12. To reduce possible exposure to lead contaminated dirt, we supply a rough mat at the entrance of our facility and encourage the wiping of shoes before entering. 

13. We do not use mercury-containing thermometers or thermostats.  Instead, we use digital options. 

14. We securely store and recycle all used batteries and fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs. 

15. To avoid possible exposure to flame retardants, we ensure furniture is in good condition without foam or inside stuffing exposed.  Stuffed animals, matting, pillows and other foam items are also intact. 

16. Furniture is made of solid wood, with few, if any items made from particleboard.

17. We do not have wall-to-wall carpeting throughout the facility.

18. Area rugs are vacuumed daily and cleaned twice a year using biodegradable cleaners.

19. We avoid toys made out of soft plastic vinyl.  Instead, we buy those labeled with “PVC-free.”

20. When using a microwave, we never heat children’s food in plastic containers, plastic wrap or plastic bags. 

21. We do not have playground equipment made of treated wood.

22. We recycle all paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, and plastics.

23. We keep our garbage covered at all times to avoid attracting pests and odor.

24. We try and educate the families we serve on eco-friendly practices.

25. We use non-toxic techniques both inside and outside the school facility 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.

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