Early childhood education centers are safe environments where young children can learn and grow. But there could be potential dangers in some centers that can cause health problems for young children.
According to Child Care of America, approximately 11 million children under the age of five receive child care, with approximately four million child care providers nationwide. The average time children spend in preschool centers is generally 36 hours per week.
About one in eight children may be in daycares that have not been carefully assessed for harmful chemicals like lead, radon and mercury. These harmful chemicals might have been present at earlier sites before they became a daycare center, such as factories, dry cleaners, or old gas stations. Many states do not have clear processes for regulating safe daycare locations.
These dangerous chemicals can have irreversible effects on the health of young children, including learning disabilities, kidney failure and various forms of cancer. Children’s bodies are also more sensitive than adults’ bodies because their bodies are still growing.
A few things to keep in mind for those trying to find a safe daycare for their child is to see what is close to the centre, such as factories or dry cleaners that can release these chemicals into the water. , air or ground. It’s also a good idea to ask, “what was on this site in the past?” as past uses may not be obvious at first sight. Some centers are being developed on land without knowing what facility it was before, which may be another reason why some childcare centers may have these dangerous chemicals.
Don’t let these facts make you decide that all daycare is dangerous for your child. If you are looking for daycare, ask questions about the daycare to help you make a final decision.
