Choose Safe Places (CSP) helps child care programs find safe locations away from and free of environmental hazards. It teaches providers how to identify risks like lead paint on the walls or dry cleaners nearby before opening or moving in. The goal is to keep children safe from dangerous conditions where they learn and play.
Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education
Free Radon Test Kits for Daycares
Children are more sensitive to environmental toxins because they are still growing. Even if a building meets licensing rules, it could still be unsafe, especially if it used to be:
- A dry cleaner
- An industrial site
- A building with past chemical use or spills
The CSP program helps child care providers identify and reduce these risks before choosing a location or while operating a facility.
Checking for Hazards – Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education video
Some child care programs are located:
- In buildings that were never cleaned up after industrial use
- Next to businesses that use or store hazardous chemicals
- In buildings with lead-based paint or unknown radon exposure
These exposures may not be visible, but they can harm children's health, especially:
- Infants and toddlers
- Children with asthma or other health issues
That’s why choosing a safe site is a critical step in protecting the children and staff in your care.
The Choose Safe Places Certificate of Education helps child care providers:
- Learn about environmental risks
- Take steps to identify and reduce hazards
- Show their commitment to creating a healthy space
To earn the certificate, providers must:
- Complete 4 hours of professional development training through IdahoSTARS
- Test for radon or lead in drinking water (or both)
Contact IdahoSTARS at 2-1-1 or visit idahostars.org
This certificate shows that a provider:
- Understands environmental risks
- Has taken real steps to protect children and staff
- Is going beyond what’s required by law
How to remove the following hazards:
Note: Idaho currently does not require facilities to fix identified hazards.
If a facility chooses to take action, it shows a strong commitment to health and safety even when it costs money or takes extra effort.