Certification program originated in Portland

Childswork Learning Center, a Southeast Portland preschool, has earned an Eco-Healthy Child Care designation.

The award was bestowed by the national Children’s Environmental Health Network, an outgrowth of a program created by the Portland-based Oregon Environmental Council in 2005.

“With this designation, parents can be confident that we have the safest and healthiest home-away-from-home for their children,” says Kim Hill, executive director of the preschool.

Childswork contracted with an eco-friendly janitorial service, Clean Solutions, which only uses certified green cleaning products. No pesticides are used on the grounds. Childswork also recently replaced older, inefficient lighting with new energy-efficient fixtures, with subsidies from the Energy Trust of Oregon.

Childswork also incorporates environmental lessons in its classrooms. Children reuse materials and practice recycling and composting of waste on site.