Child Care

Daily we hear something new about the need to protect our environment. As a childcare provider I’ve found myself at the cross roads of protecting the environment and making my day easier by using less than environmentally correct practices.

At one time I only used paper plates. They were easier to discard without a backward glance. I used to leave the blinds and curtains open even on those excessively hot or cold days. I used to think that it was okay to crank up the cooling or the heating. I was only affecting my light and gas bills.

When the toys became broken, torn, or just worn down by normal use, I’d toss them and head out to buy brand new one. I had to help the economy, right?

The days of limitless, water, land fill space and fossil fuel are drawing to an end. No one can bury their head in the sand infinitely. So I guess this mean I too as a child care provider, with twenty-eight years of following the same path, will have to yield to what is better for all of us. It’s time for my home daycare to find new ways to save our glorious planet.

I know that I can’t save the planet alone and washing dishes more often and buying fewer paper plates won’t make a huge difference. But it will make a difference. And I need to think about the kids growing up, learning about and developing new ways to take care of our environment.

For example, just a few generations ago, very few people ever considered using a seat belt. Today very few people would contemplate not wearing the life saving device. It started with a need to protect our children. The result is that each generation that has followed has become more accustomed to using the seat belt. Not to mention all the loved ones who are with us today thanks to buckling up.

The same can be done for protecting our environment. By making small changes and teaching our kids from birth the importance of conserving. The lives of their children’s children will be improved; they will see conservation as an ordinary daily practice.

What better place to start than in the home and in the childcare setting. Changes are in the making in my own home daycare. How about in your child’s daycare? Have you asked what you can do to help your provider, be it a home or center based childcare, how best you can help?

Years ago, I had a parent whose children had been with me from birth, one day he saw that his company had tossed out boxes of old binders. They were in good shape just no longer of use to the company. His first thought was of the waste and then he thought of my childcare and that I might possibly have a use for a few of them.

Those binders are still being used to this day. His thoughtfulness left a little extra room in the landfill and saved me the expense of buying binders myself.

There are many ways for your child’s provider to establish a green environment and many ways you can be a part of introducing a new way of thinking for your children. Get involved; take part in all aspects of your child’s learning.

1. Ask what measures the childcare is already taking on going green.

2. Look around your home, or work, and see what you can share with your child’s daycare.

3. Has your provider switched from paper products? If so can you donate extra wash cloths, towels, or plastic plates?

4. Don’t throw out your old magazines, empty yogurt or margarine containers without first offering to donate them.