Sunshine Kids, Inc – 84 is a center-based child care facility in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, that opened in May 1999. In 2019, the center was endorsed as an Eco-Healthy Child Care® (EHCC) facility for the first time. It serves 48 children daily, ranging in age from 2 months to 12 years.

Pam Halinka, the Director of Sunshine Kids, Inc – 84, sought ways to protect the health of the children in her care and the staff from environmental hazards. In January 2019, she applied for and received a grant to help the center adopt more eco-friendly practices. Through the Eco-Healthy endorsement checklist, she implemented various changes, such as daily vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum, setting up recycling bins for paper and plastic, and placing doormats at both entrances.

Ms. Halinka found the Eco-Healthy Child Care® factsheets and FAQs informative and helpful, especially the plastics factsheet and the “Safer Dolls” FAQ, which guided her in checking for PVC in dolls and toys. Since receiving the endorsement, she has replaced the vinyl dolls in the toddler area with machine-washable ones and ensures that new dolls introduced to the center are PVC-free.

Ms. Halinka is dedicated to integrating Eco-Healthy practices throughout the center. However, she recently encountered challenges sourcing healthy cleaning products. Determined to protect the well-being of both children and staff, she attended a Green Clean Training, where she received a Zero Water Dispenser, a HEPA vacuum, and other safer cleaning supplies and tips. Using safe and approved green cleaning products can reduce the amount of toxic chemicals that children are exposed to, improving air quality, causing less irritation to the skin and eyes, and protecting children’s respiratory tracts.

Her commitment to these best practices has led to noticeable improvements. Since becoming EHCC-endorsed, Ms. Halinka reports fewer illnesses and absences among children and staff. To help inform the parents of Sunshine Kids Inc, Ms. Halinka has sent home printouts to parents of EHCC’s Crib Mattresses/Nap Mats FAQs and Household Chemicals Fact Sheet. Sunshine Kids, Inc – 84 has gone above and beyond in reducing environmental hazards and safeguarding the health of the children in their care.