Choose Safe Places (CSP)

Idaho's Choose Safe Places Program (CSP) helps ensure that early care and education programs are in safe places, so that children aren't exposed to dangerous chemicals during their care.

Child care providers should proactively consider possible sources of environmental exposure prior to committing to a location for a child care business. Child care facilities may be in places where children and staff are exposed to harmful chemicals even if facilities meet current licensing regulations. New and existing child care providers may be unaware if an existing or proposed site is in a contaminated industrial building that was never cleaned up, or next door to a dry cleaner using harmful chemicals. This can put staff and children, who are more sensitive because they’re still growing, at risk of health problems.

How do I get involved in CSP?

To get more information on the Choose Safe Places Program, contact the Environmental Health Team at 800-445-8647, send an email to csp@dhw.idaho.gov, or contact IdahoSTARS at 2-1-1, or idahostars.org. 

Checking for Hazards – Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education (video)

What is a Choose Safe Places Certificate of Education?

Child care providers in the state of Idaho can obtain a Choose Safe Places Certificate of Education by completing 4 professional development training hours through IdahoSTARS. 

How are environmental hazards identified through the Choose Safe Places Certificate of Education?

As part of the certificate of education training requirements, a child care provider chooses to test for radon or lead in drinking water. They can test for both if desired, but at least one is required. For example, there is no safe amount of lead exposure for children. Lead exposure can result in a range of adverse physical impacts from stomach aches and irritability to learning disabilities and hyperactivity. If unsafe levels are determined through testing, the owner of the facility is given options on how to remove the hazard. Lead | Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Why is the Choose Safe Places Certificate of Education significant?

The Choose Safe Places Certificate of Education recognizes a child care facility’s effort to create a healthier environment for children at that facility.  It acknowledges that a director or owner has gained basic knowledge of environmental hazards.  Basic knowledge is deepened by action.  If threats are identified, steps are taken to decrease the impact of them on children and staff.  Currently in Idaho, there are no regulations or codes that require a facility to correct identified hazards.  In some cases, fixing these issues can cost the facility a lot of money. Actions taken by a facility to correct identified hazards; demonstrates the depth of concern a facility has for the health of children in their care.