Six area child care facilities have voluntarily earned or continued membership in the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) Five Star Environmental Recognition Program. The Five Star program ensures child care providers have taken steps to reduce and eliminate hazards that can cause permanent, long term developmental problems in young children.

Small Blessings, Inc. has recently joined the program, and ABC Child Care & Preschool’s four area facilities and Robin’s Nest Childcare Center renewed their memberships. Small Blessings, Inc. director and owner Lee Ann Balta appreciated the opportunities presented by working toward Five Star membership. “I’m excited by the opportunity to work with my team, families, and community to create a healthier environment for the children. How terrific to actually be recognized for accomplishing this,” Balta said.

ABC Child Care & Preschool owner Tamela Hunt explained why all of all of her locations are Five Star facilities. “We work hard every year to keep that status," Hunt said. “Offering children a safe learning environment is our top priority. The Five Star program helps us ensure we're doing everything we can."

Robin's Nest Childcare Center was one of Indiana's first child care facilities to earn five stars in 2000. “We are even more proud that all these years later, we still continue to be a Five Star facility," said Robin's Nest director Brenda True. "This year we even implemented a no idling zone to remind parents to turn their cars off when dropping off and picking up their children." No idle zones at Five Star child care facilities have reduced idling vehicles by approximately 80 percent, reducing asthma triggers from vehicle exhaust.

The organizations’ participation comes during Children’s Health Month, a time of year when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and IDEM discuss the factors that could affect the well-being of children attending child care facilities.

“Research shows that 90 percent of a child’s brain develops by age four,” said Karen Teliha, coordinator of IDEM’s Community Environmental Health & Education Program. “That is why it is essential to provide our children with a safe, nurturing environment. For many Indiana families, that environment is a child care facility.”
IDEM’s Five Star program aims to make a difference by providing parents with information to empower them to make the best choices for their children’s health. It helps child care providers do their best for the children and most of all, it helps Hoosier children have a healthier start and a bright beginning. The first of its kind in the nation, the Five Star program uses education and recognition to address potential environmental threats to children.

With approximately 2.8 million child care providers in the United States, nearly 12 million children under the age of five are in their care. In Indiana, there are over 100,000 children attending day care in more than 4,000 facilities throughout the state. Over 60 child care facilities reaching an estimated 4,000 children participate in IDEM’s Five Star program.

“We believe children deserve a safe place to learn, play and grow,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “Anything we can do to help motivate facilities to exceed minimum requirements creates a win-win environment.”

Applicants to IDEM’s Five Star program are evaluated based on their efforts to reduce children’s exposure to mercury, lead hazards, mold, asbestos, radon, pesticides, carbon monoxide, and PCBs. In addition, many of the facilities have started recycling programs, developed formal written plans for chemical management, made efforts to purchase items made with recycling content material, and reduced energy usage.
Additional information about the Five Star Environmental Recognition Program for Child Care Facilities can be obtained by calling Karen Teliha at (800) 988-7901 or by visiting www.idem.IN.gov/4180.htm.

About IDEM
IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.