- We evaluate and/or test all toys for lead
- We have eliminated aluminum from classroom materials (toys and art materials)
- We serve food that is free of added aluminum
- We use distilled water for all cooking and drinking (to avoid exposing the children to fluoride, aluminum and chlorine in other sources of water)
- We clean and disinfect without chlorine
- We grow organic food in the garden and serve healthy foods with an emphasis on organic (any foods on the EWG dirty dozen list we buy organic)
- We do not serve canned foods, or foods with synthetic (metal containing) dyes. Minimize foods with additives or preservatives
- We cook all food in glass cookware
- We serve children on break resistant glass dishware
- Natureplay is TV free
- We are student directed and emphasize authentic interactions and outside learning
- We store almost all chemicals outside of the building to keep the indoor air healthy
- We use agreements, explanation, redirection & modeling to direct behaviour
- We do not use punishments or rewards to influence behaviour
- We encourage the children to express their feelings and reflect the feelings they communicate (active listening)
- We favor open ended materials in which the children create their own goals, stories, outcomes and meaning.