Kids & Company Blog

Why Being Eco-Conscious Is Important to Kids & Company

Kids & Company’s founder and CEO Victoria Sopik cares about our planet, and she knows you do, too. Read on to find out how Kids & Company is prioritizing eco-friendly, sustainable practices in our child care centres and our communities.

As a mother of eight (and grandmother of 15), I know first-hand how tough it is to raise a family today. When you entrusted the Kids & Company team to provide your child with professional, reliable and flexible child care, you made the decision to ensure your infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children thrive in a nurturing and safe environment when they’re not with you. (For that we thank you!) Your family is top of mind for our team and our trusted partners, and that’s why I wanted to highlight one of the ways we educate our children beyond the classroom, specifically when it comes to the global conversation surrounding sustainability. 

This is a movement that’s been increasingly gaining momentum, and rightfully so. As we become more aware of the environmental challenges our planet faces, Kids & Company is making a concerted effort to ensure a more sustainable future for our families, our children’s families and beyond. 

Earlier this year, we took one of the most important steps to identify ways to lower our environmental impact by measuring Kids & Company’s carbon footprint across Canada, and we have already committed to doing the same in both Canada and the U.S. in 2024. Physically measuring the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted during our day-to-day operations at our child care centres is no easy feat, (in case you were wondering, water, waste disposal, traveling and energy including gas, electric and oil, are the most significant factors that are used to calculate one’s carbon footprint), but we are pleased to report that as a result of our learnings, we are embracing a proactive plan to lower our numbers and continue on our path to be leaders in corporate sustainability. 

Beyond measuring our carbon footprint, another example of our eco-conscious thoughtfulness that we’re proud of, is modifying our “Grab n Go” snack to be eaten mostly in-classrooms. Doing so will help us eliminate our use of 2.6 million single-use plastic baggies per year. 

And because we are so invested, I wanted to take a moment to share the reasons why this is so important to Kids & Company, and to me personally. 

Children learn by example. We all know children are like sponges, absorbing information and behaviours from their surroundings. Our child care centres are prime environments for teaching sustainable practices. By implementing eco-friendly initiatives like recycling programs, talking about conservation and using sustainable materials, we will instill valuable lessons in our children’s minds that will then be carried into their homes, schools and communities, fostering a generation of globally responsible and educated leaders. 

Making good eco decisions is good for our health and well-being… Sustainability and being a good eco citizen isn’t just about protecting the environment,  it’s also about safeguarding our health. Many conventional cleaning products and materials contain chemicals that have an impact on our health and  safety. By opting for environmentally friendly cleaning products and non-toxic materials, Kids & Company is creating healthier environments for everyone involved. Improved air quality, reduced exposure to toxins and products lead to better overall well-being for children, staff, families and the earth. It’s win-win. 

…and it’s good for the economy. While some sustainable initiatives may require an initial investment, they often lead to long-term cost savings. Improvements like energy-efficient lighting, proper insulation and water-saving fixtures can reduce operational expenses, and recycling and waste-reduction programs can lower waste-disposal costs. These savings can free up resources that can be reinvested into enhancing the quality of care and education provided by our child care centres, allowing us to stay committed to investing in families and the state of our planet. 

We should all contribute to a greener world. You know what they say—small hinges swing big doors. If we focus on making small changes at each of Kids & Company’s 150-plus child care centres, the sum of that impact will benefit all the neighbourhoods where we operate across Canada and the US. We want to work with our families to reduce our carbon footprints, conserve our resources and promote sustainable behaviours. By setting an example and showing that every business has a role to play and a responsibility when it comes to environmental stewardship, we hope to inspire others to follow suit. 

Many of our families already embrace a more sustainable lifestyle, which is fantastic. And we know many of you are always on the lookout for ways to incorporate more eco-friendly practices at home. Regardless of where your family falls today, it’s really our collective commitment to have a more positive effect on the planet and provide our children with the knowledge and values they need to become environmentally savvy leaders of tomorrow. 

So, as Kids & Company makes this pledge to you and your families, we invite you to join us to build a more sustainable future, one step at a time. As always, we’re all in this together, so don’t hesitate to reach out (@kidcochildcare) and chat with us about ways you can get involved. And keep an eye out for new blogs —we’ll be sharing smart ideas and expert tips to help you bring up eco-conscious children. We’re really excited. 

Sincerely, 

Victoria Sopik

Posted on: Monday October 2nd, 2023

Posted by: Kids & Company