Car Free Diet
Transportation options, you don't need a car to get here
Click on the link to explore options for getting here. By reducing the number of cars on the road, we contribute to a better environment, which complements our childcare programs that promote environmentally friendly practices. Learn more about how Maria Teresa's Babies supports these initiatives at the link below: https://www.carfreediet.com/partners/transportation-options/?gid=757
Our Case Study
We accepted the challenge for a better environment through our childcare programs. Click the link for the case study that helped us achieve our goals with the support of Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP). Together, we are implementing environmentally friendly practices at Maria Teresa's Babies.
TRANSPORTATION CHAMPION! LEAVING A BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR CHILDREN
Better for the environment Synlawn
Article provided by SYNLawn
Providing peace of mind for parents
SYNLawn® Synthetic Grass Supports Peace of Mind for Parents with Children in Childcare Programs
SYNLawn®, the world’s leading provider of synthetic grass products, is assisting daycare centers in creating safer learning environments for children.
For parents, educational development and safety are the two most significant concerns they have for their children. These concerns are especially pronounced within childcare programs throughout the nation.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 57.2% of children ages 3-5 are enrolled in center-based educational programs, amounting to over 13 million children under six who attend these programs.
A crucial aspect of these childcare programs involves the playground, where young children spend substantial time developing cognitive, social, and physical skills. Unfortunately, many playground areas do not meet the safety standards parents desire.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 24% of playground surfaces are considered unsafe, and 27% of surfaces are poorly maintained.
Maria Teresa’s Babies Early Enrichment Center in Arlington, Virginia, has made significant strides toward enhancing playground safety.
Tony Saba, CEO of Maria Teresa’s Babies, collaborated with Chesapeake Bay Synthetic Landscapes to select the SYNLawn® surface for their installation. Chesapeake Bay Synthetic Landscapes, based in Annapolis, Maryland, provides and installs SYNLawn® products across Maryland, Virginia, D.C., and neighboring regions. They installed SYNLawn® throughout the play area at the back of the center, which also features a mini-golf course made of the SYNLawn® surface, making it the only childcare center in the area to offer such a facility.
"This is an investment that will last for years, and seeing the children’s faces as they enjoy their outdoor activities makes it all worthwhile," said Saba. "Most importantly, we don’t have to worry about dirt or even small falls due to the cushioning provided by the SYNLawn® product compared to regular lawns."
Additional benefits of the revamped outdoor facility include the ability for children to go outside immediately after rain. The SYNLawn® surface drains quickly, eliminating concerns about muddy feet or clothes. There are no grass stains, and the product is non-allergenic. SYNLawn® products are also non-abrasive and cushioned, ensuring safety from falls of up to 12 feet, as per International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association standards.
Best of all, the center can fulfill its mission with children.
"We play mini-golf, soccer, baseball, and various other activities that align with our healthy-mind philosophy," explained Saba. "These outdoor activities help children develop gross and fine motor skills along with their language, social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development."
SYNLawn® and its distributors have experienced remarkable growth in the playground market, driven by these factors.
"Safety is a primary reason for the growth of SYNLawn® playground surfaces," remarked Kaitlyn Lord of Chesapeake Bay Synthetic Landscapes. "Surfaces made from mulch, gravel, or sand often become less safe over time. High-traffic areas can displace these materials, exposing the hard ground underneath. SYNLawn® offers consistent safety standards in high-traffic zones, regardless of weather conditions, height, or type of play equipment. You get all of this along with a beautifully lush, green surface."
In essence, SYNLawn® not only delivers an aesthetically pleasing surface but also provides peace of mind to nearly 60% of parents whose children engage in early childhood learning centers.