Barbara Bredell-Searle
Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning – Bureau of Certification and Bureau of Policy & Professional Development published an announcement (Announcement C-24-01) on June 17, 2024, to clarify the intent of 55 Pa. Codes regarding toxics when it comes to plants.
When you look at 55 Pa. Code 3270.66(d), 3280.66(c), or 3290.64(c), it states, “Toxic plants are not permitted in a childcare space.” Unless you are an expert in over 700 toxic plants that are in the United States, you may not know what type of plants you are bringing or growing in your center, group, or family child care program.
The guidance in the announcement will help you investigate prior to bringing plants into the program and knowing if the current plants you have accessible to children indoors or outdoors are toxic.
- Are there plants in your facility located in the entrance of your program, the hallway, bathrooms, kitchen, and/or classrooms?
- Are there plants outdoors where children have access to them?
- Do you or your staff help children grow plants or fruits/vegetables as part of your curriculum within your program?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions it is time to investigate. Announcement C-24-01 states, “The provider is responsible for identifying all plants currently in both the indoor and outdoor childcare and play spaces, as well as any areas accessible to children inside the facility. If a plant or any part of the plant is toxic it must be removed, not including plants that are grown for human consumption that may have parts that are toxic.
Note: Plants that are meant to grow for human consumption that contain toxic parts are allowed in the program; however, close supervision is required when the plant is accessible to the children in your program.” (Please see additional information in the announcement along with the pre-recorded webinar link at the end of this article.)
As per announcement C-24-01, there are resources to support you with identifying toxic plants. One resource is to speak with your local garden center or florist. However, there are free online resources which are noted in the announcement that can support you; there is also a list in Appendix A of the announcement.
Children need to be in a safe environment; therefore, during an inspection of your program your Certification Representative will be assessing for toxic plants in all areas where children have access. If there are toxic plants accessible, you will be cited and a plan for correction will be needed.
