Cortney Fillion - Childrens’ Creative Learning Center’s (CCLC) UCAR Campus Preschool
Cortney Fillion has worked at the Childrens’ Creative Learning Center’s (CCLC) UCAR Campus Preschool in Boulder, CO for four years; recently, she became the Center Director. With a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Vermont, and five-years of experience in the early childhood field, Cortney is a known resource for both parents and her staff.
After finding out about the Eco-Healthy Child Care (EHCC) program through a CCLC employee in Oregon, Cortney completed the EHCC checklist and the UCAR Campus Preschool became the first endorsed eco-friendly child care in the state of CO! Cortney shared that she was motivated to attain the eco-healthy endorsement because, “it certified the eco-healthy practices that we had been doing, such as recycling all materials, and avoiding chemicals that are particularly harmful to children. The program also taught us not to use aerosol sprays of any kind - not even in the kitchen or bathroom - while away from the children.” Cortney and her staff go above and beyond the eco-healthy practices promoted on the checklist, by recycling ink cartridges, always encouraging children to use both sides of their paper, and by saving scraps of paper for art projects in the future.
Parents and other community members regularly ask Cortney questions about eco-healthy practices when they see the Eco-Healthy placard and checklist. Cortney adds, “they are excited and happy that we are taking these steps to better the health of the children we care for.” “These eco-healthy practices are not difficult – especially when they become part of your daily routine.”
Though the UCAR Preschool goes beyond most child care centers when it comes to eco-healthy practices, Cortney wishes that they could do more – such as recycle all those diapers that they use everyday! She also notes that a challenge for their program is being bound by state licensing regulations to use certain products that are non-biodegradable – such as chlorine bleach. Ultimately though, Cortney realizes that everyone can make an impact on bettering air quality and reducing the amount of toxins in the environment. “These practices are especially important to implement around children, so that they have a safer, healthier environment.”
