Daycare Paint

Some food coloring is nontoxic, but it stains.

If you do not trust this daycare, I would move her,

There are a lot of non-toxic kid paints out there and yes, many of them stain, even the 'washable' brands.

When I had my toddlers/preschoolers doing art, I mixed dish detergent in with the paints before offering them. This helped quite a bit.

And if you are concerned your daycare is being dishonest with you, that's another matter. I'm wondering how paint got on her lovey and wasn't washed off/wiped off or why your daughter would suck on something even if it had a bad taste, which toxic paint very likely would.

But yes, I've had a LOT of clothes stained by little fingers in my day. Painting is messy.

ETA: everyone who mentioned bulk purchases is correct; we'd buy paint and glue in gallon bottles and they were stored in a locker (to keep them safe from children); when we emptied the big gallon bottles, you can bet we didn't hold onto them.

Non-toxic and washable are not the same thing. My kids have used tempera paint that are non-toxic, but are also non-washable and stain clothes. So yes, non-toxic paint can stain clothes, but it poses no health concern to your child.

Do you really think the daycare would purposely fill the children full of toxic chemical paints on purpose? They have state guidelines to follow plus they have to be concerned about the parents who micro manage everything their child touches and then complains about.

Just because it didn't wash out does not mean it is laced with chemicals.

Most preschool's and day cares, have the child bring in an old t-shirt or provide a smock for painting. Painting is fun and creative for the children and good for them as well.

The stuffed animal should not have been around the paint. All things like that stay in the bags or cubbie's and are only brought out at rest time.

If you have a specific paint that you want the daycare to use, then go buy a bunch of it and donate it to the daycare. Of course they do not use the paint from the original containers because they probably purchase it in bulk and then refill smaller containers as needed.

Bottom line... if you do not trust your daycare/preschool, then find another place for your child.

non toxic means it won't hurt them if they happen to swallow it. not that it won't stain. I would send a smock to school and ask them to please put it on her when she is painting. other suggestion is to wear only play clothes to preschool. how did t get on her stuffed animal? they usually keep those in the cubbies until nap time.

I agree that just because it didn't wash out means it is toxic... Look at how many perfectly natural fruits and vegetables stain things, and they certainly aren't toxic. I used to make finger pants out of all sorts of things- mustard, ketchup, flour, salt, and dye, cornstarch and dye, jello... Many of them stained but they were all perfectly safe if ingested.

It also makes sense for the paints not to be in their original container. They likely buy it in bulk or make large batches, then section it into containers that are a usable size.

If this is a big deal to you, maybe you can find some safe, washable paint recipes (or a brand you like) and donate some to the day-care. Then you will know exactly what is being used.

Not washing out doesn't mean anything. Think of grass stains, grape juice stains, olive oil stains…

The main thing is to pre-soak, I think. And never ever put anything in the dryer until you are sure - let it air dry and re-soak as needed. If you're concerned about toxins, you certainly don't want to use chlorine bleach at all (not ever) but I find Dawn dish soap does a good job on a lot of things (soak full strength on the stain and then rub it in with an old toothbrush to get it down into the fibers).

And I don't think any day care or school uses paints in the original containers - they are buying in large bottles which are impossible for little hands to use.

Most paint is non-toxic unless it contains lead. Hardly anything is made with lead in it these days, since it was found to be harmful.

The dyes in paint might not come out of fabrics but that doesn't mean you can't go roll around in it and even accidentally get some in your mouth.

How old is your daughter? If she's in the infant or toddler rooms they might paint with foods instead. Finger painting with pudding is a lot of fun and they can lick their hands and fingers clean. I've done that on paper and on sanitized table tops. It's not something that can be sent home though, the pudding eventually sours and the "painting" has to be tossed.

If she's even in the 2 year old room they might even use some other mediums to paint with but still, the paint isn't going to be toxic, it's just not made with that sort of stuff.

Also, if she's that old she knows to keep her paint covered hands out of her mouth when doing crafts.

I put all my paints in different containers. I kept the larger container put up so it wouldn't get spilled or dry out all at once.

I think there isn't a problem but if you're still concerned ask to see the original container if they still have it. They might have simply refilled all the classroom containers then tossed the gallon or quart sized paint container.

what has this daycare done to make you believe they would deliberately endanger your child and lie about it?
so i guess you need to put your child somewhere with people you trust.
which doesn't mean she won't get paint on her clothes. being a kid is messy, and a lot of paints (and grass and dirt and tomato sauce and blood and worm guts) stain.
khairete
S.

Non-toxic does not mean the paint will come out in the wash. It's only been recently that non-staining paints have been available. Sounds like the center isn't using those.