Helping Students Stay Healthy Inside and Out at our St. Augustine Preschool

At Bartram Academy, we care about the chemicals kids are exposed to, both in their environment and in what they eat. That is why all of our food is organic, all natural, and either fresh or fresh-frozen. You will not find any high fructose corn syrup, dyes, or partially hydrogenated oils in the food at our St. Augustine preschool, which is not something many schools can say. This helps children maintain healthy weights and sustain a good self-image.

Some of our practices involving sustainability in childcare include making our own all-natural sanitizing solution and using green cleaning products. There is a reason why we scored an “outstanding” with the Children’s Environmental Health Network – we take caring for the earth seriously. You can bet we recycle and teach our students to do the same. Our efforts were rewarded in 2013 with the Green Business of the Year recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Preserving the Earth Today and Tomorrow

Our green preschool has even been featured on News4Jax, the St. Johns, FL, news station, for using essential oils in classrooms. These are diffused throughout the day and used in cleaners and our special sanitizing solutions. We do not use bleach or any other harsh chemicals; only pleasant smells are allowed in our school. During naptime, we use calming oils, like lavender, to help the kids get to sleep, and we keep them healthy during flu season by using On Guard to fight germs.

What we hope is that by teaching kids to respect the Earth and go green at a young age, they will continue to be environmentally responsible for their whole lives. Our future depends on protecting our planet, and teaching sustainability in childcare is the first step. Research is even beginning to see a trend in green schools of raised test scores and improved health, so everyone benefits.

Our Lessons are Long Lasting

Students are always our priority, and teaching eco-friendly practices empowers them to make smart choices that have a positive impact. In a time when children have become alarmingly disconnected from nature and the great outdoors, this is more important than ever. No child at our daycare will be sitting in front of a TV or computer all day; we get them moving around and playing outside so they can stay healthy and appreciate the world around them.

There are so many ways that even young children can do their part. Contact our daycare in Jacksonville, FL, to learn about them.