A new printable guide for making childcare environments toxic-free.
Childcare centres and preschools play a crucial role in children's early development. However, research has shown there are a range of substances commonly found in childcare environments that are potentially hazardous for kids.
Unfortunately, there is currently limited information available to help childcare services identify risks and make necessary changes.
Making critical information accessible
The ‘Toxic-free childcare guide’ provides information to both childcare services and policy-makers to help them understand and address the key hazards in a clear and visually engaging way.
Designed to be printable and displayable as a book or posters in childcare and preschool environments, the guide aims to foster awareness and encourage improvements to enhance safety.
The guide provides advice on what to embrace and what to avoid in various childcare areas, such as:
- kitchen and eating
- indoor activity and sleep
- play
- outdoors
- maintenance.
Given the vast number of chemicals that are in products, it can’t be expected that anyone could learn them all.
The guide also provides an overview of the main chemical classes to look out for and where to find them. Some of these include:
- PFAS (per – and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
- antimicrobials
- flame retardants
- bisphenols and phthalates
- some solvents
- heavy metals.
An interview with the author
Creating safer and healthier childcare settings – free of harmful environmental hazards – is key to protecting the safety and wellbeing of our children.
Dr Rachael Wakefield-Rann, the report’s author, says that while it is a daunting task, there are immediate actions that can be taken.
“Even if replacing large and costly items is not feasible in the short term, small changes in other areas can still make a world of difference,” she says.
“Identifying and replacing all potentially hazardous materials can be challenging and costly, and the responsibility should not just be placed on centre owners and educators. The guide also provides advice on how government policy makers can update standards and policies to help improve the safety of kids in childcare.”
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