Wildfire smoke and childcare: How do licensed providers adapt?

This study provides one of the first examinations of wildfire smoke risk in childcare environments. Authors examine how providers access information, perceive risks, implement protective actions, and whether their preferred strategies differ from current practices. The team surveyed 682 state-licensed childcare facilities in Seattle, Washington, receiving 134 responses and analyzed responses both in aggregate and across historical Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) zones, which often reflected patterns of racial and income-based segregation. The analysis was guided by the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) and an environmental justice approach to examine how information access, risk perception, and structural inequities shape protective behaviours.

Findings suggested that providers often underestimate indoor smoke risks, and relatively few implement recommended mitigation measures. Providers in historically disadvantaged HOLC zones rely more on interpersonal information networks, while those in other zones are less likely to support policies or facility upgrades aimed at reducing exposure. A key policy implication is the need for improved access to real-time, facility-specific indoor air quality information. Providers most frequently requested funding for air quality monitors, portable air cleaners, and building improvements. Given the complexity of risk perception and the diversity of populations served, state licensing agencies should consider integrating wildfire smoke preparedness into childcare licensing requirements.