RSSMetro Regional Government Selects ChildRoots as Model Center
Nov 03
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Metro Regional Government launched a new page within its existing web site on November 3, 2011, that focuses on sustainability and child care centers. In addition to providing information on green cleaning and how to safely use sanitizers and disinfectants in a Center, it has also selected three model Centers/schools in the region to highlight for their leadership in sustainability and best practices. We are honored to announce that ChildRoots has been selected as one of the three model Centers in the region!
Here’s the link to Metro’s main “Green Child Care” page:
www.oregonmetro.gov/childcare
Here’s the link to Metro’s featured “Child Care Centers” page:
http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=38689
It’s an honor to be recognized for something that we believe is a core value at ChildRoots!
Toxics-free child care: featured facilities
ChildRoots, A Center for Young Children
Southeast Portland
ChildRoots, A Center for Young Children makes sustainability part of everyday business. The noticeable absence of plastic and disposable products. The use of natural materials blending seamlessly with a color palette that brings the outside in. Upon entering the southeast Portland child care center, it’s clear things are a little different here.
Executive Director Christina Unga considers health and environment when making purchasing choices for ChildRoots. Materials are chosen for their safety and life span, with preference for items that can be repaired and reused. The center has had the benefit of being designed from the ground up with safer building materials and a ventilation system that keeps air fresh. Beyond the built environment, ChildRoots also works to keep toxins out of its cleaning products, personal care products, art supplies and food.
Unga has learned to be more environmentally savvy by researching, “asking lots of questions” and hearing from inquiring and informed parents, many of whom chose ChildRoots for its environmental commitment. She admits it can cost more to be eco-friendly but notes, “Not every green choice comes with a higher price tag. When we find ways to reuse items or to eliminate waste, we are saving money.”
Through simple cost-cutting steps such as replacing paper hand towels with T-shirt scraps, using chalkboards instead of paper and markers and sourcing the nonprofit School and Community Reuse Action Project for art supplies, Unga has kept costs down while finding new ways to make ChildRoots environmentally sustainable.
The Oregonian “FoodDay” Article:
And, as part of our focus on sustainability, ChildRoots was thrilled to be featured in a recent article and video in The Oregonian, with a front page piece in the “FoodDay” section, about our school’s commitment to healthy eating, training our children’s palates at a young age and acquainting children with a variety of healthy foods so that they can learn about the individual taste, texture and look of every vegetable.
Below is the link to The Oregonian article and video:
http://www.oregonlive.com/foodday/index.ssf/2011/07/taking_a_fresh_approach_to_day.html
Since the article ran this summer, social media efforts via Facebook and Twitter launched the article nationally and globally. Food bloggers, fitness bloggers, childcare bloggers and sustainability bloggers from San Jose, CA, to Washington D.C. to London, England have reposted or Tweeted the article. One of the most notable Tweets came from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) which is the world’s largest organization working on behalf of young children. NAEYC Tweeted the article to all of its 8,022 followers.
