Choose Safe Places Minnesota

Across the country, including Minnesota, child care and early education programs have been found in locations that could expose children and staff to environmental contamination.

Choose Safe Places Minnesota is an initiative to identify and address potential environmental concerns at or around child care locations to protect children and providers from harmful substances.

See Choose Safe Places MN (PDF) brochure for information on the safe siting of child care and early education programs. Order Brochure Packets

Minnesota Department of Health staff are available to assist you in assessing your property or well water for environmental contaminants. We consider:

• Current and former uses of your property
• Businesses using harmful chemicals near your property
• The safety of your drinking water

• English: Choosing a Safe Location for Child Care (PDF)
• Spanish: Elegir un lugar Seguro para el cuidado de niños (PDF)
• Hmong: Xaiv ib qho Chaw Kom Puaj Phais Rau Qhov Kev Zov Menyuam (PDF)
• Somali: U doorashada Meel Ammaan ah Daryeelka Carruurta (PDF)

Children may be exposed to harmful chemicals in the air they breathe, the water they drink, or the soil they touch or swallow. Because children are still growing and developing, they are uniquely susceptible to health threats from these exposures. Identifying and addressing potential environmental site hazards, especially before a child care program is licensed, can prevent and reduce harmful exposures to the children in your care. Take advantage of the Choose Safe Places Minnesota programs offered below!

Please note that while participation in either of these programs is voluntary, it may not be free. Should MDH recommend action be taken based on the possible presence of environmental hazards, MDH is not responsible for any cost incurred to address these issues. If at all possible, MDH will work with you and our Choose Safe Places Minnesota partners to defray any cost associated with efforts to reduce harmful exposures to children and providers.

To participate in a Choose Safe Places Minnesota program, please click either "Site Screening Program" or "Well Water Testing Program":

Site Screening Program Well Water Testing Program

Choose the Site Screening Program if you are a:

• Prospective child care center owner/operator
• Current child care center owner/operator
• Family Child Care provider operating a program outside the home

Choose the Well Water Testing Program if you are a:

• Family Child Care provider with well water
• Child care center with well water

Training

• Training offered by MDH: Search for an in-person classroom or web based class titled "Healthy Homes for Childcare" on the Develop MN Search for Training page.
• The Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN) works to promote healthier environments for children. Their award-winning Eco-Healthy Child Program provides training and best practices for creating a healthy child care environment.