Kids & Company Receives Endorsement from Eco-Healthy Child Care®
EHCC endorsement marks a key milestone in Kids & Company's commitment to eco-consciousness and sustainability. It signifies their dedication to industry advancements and the well-being of the children in their care, as well as the planet they will inherit.
Toronto, Ontario – February 28, 2024 – Kids & Company announced today that it has received endorsement from Eco-Healthy Child Care®. Eco-Healthy Child Care® (EHCC) is a national program that partners with child care professionals to eliminate environmental hazards in early learning settings with the goal of protecting the health of children and staff.
“As we become more aware of the environmental challenges that our planet faces and our role as stewards of that environment, we want to ensure that our child care centers are prime spaces for environmentally-conscious action, where we uphold our commitment to implementing the highest standards of safety.” says Kids & Company CEO and co-founder, Victoria Sopik. “Our dedication to eco-friendly practices and being good eco-citizens is not only about protecting the environment but also about safeguarding our health.”
With these values in mind, Kids & Company proudly announced that over 95% of their child care centers across North America, have received endorsements from Eco-Healthy Child Care, due to the environmental health best practices that they follow. The staff has worked to ensure that the centers benefit the well-being of young children by complying with environmental health guidelines developed by the EHCC. The guidelines include:
- Avoiding fragranced products.
- Choosing 3rd party-certified green cleaning products (e.g., Ecologo, Green Seal, or EPA’s Safer Choice).
- Maintaining adequate ventilation, especially during cooking, cleaning, and art activities, AND ventilating by using screened windows and doors or a mechanical ventilation system.
- Testing water for lead contamination.
- Using least-toxic pest prevention practices including blocking pest entryways and eliminating food and water sources.
- Selecting fragrance-free art supplies approved by the Arts and Creative Materials Institute “AP” label.
By following the important health and safety guidelines promoted by the Eco-Healthy Child Care® program, changes made in the child care space operated by Kids & Company immediately benefit the well-being of young children and staff. Learn more here: www.cehn.org/ehcc.