Each Child. Every Community.

On average, children can spend 36 hours a week in childcare. Therefore, it is so important to promote healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environments in early care and education settings. Here are just two resources to do that.

• Child Care Health Consultants (CCHC)are trained health professionals who work with childcare programs to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate strategies to achieve safe and healthy childcare environments.  Currently, 24 local partnerships fund the CCHC activity to address both high quality and health in the childcare facilities in their community.  
• The Choose Safe Places (CSP) programis part of a national initiative that works with child care providers to protect children from harmful exposures to chemicals. Local partnerships can refer new start-up childcare facilities to this program to ensure facilities are located in areas free of harmful substances, such as lead, arsenic, or volatile organic compounds.  

Active play for preschoolers is a powerful tool that not only engages children’s bodies, but also enhances their minds, and is vital for proper health and development. However, the average preschooler does not engage in the recommended amount of play daily, and in fact, can watch 4.5 hours of TV. Preschoolers should participate in at least 120 minutes of active play each day if participating in a full day childcare program, or at least 60 minutes if in a half-day program.  

Active play can include a combination of indoor and outdoor activity.  When children don’t engage in an adequate amount of activity, it not only increases their risk for obesity, but can also impact their socio-emotional health. Learn more about the importance of play in enhancing physical and socio-emotional development in young children as well as age-specific ideas for play and learning.