The Child-Friendly Seal of Approval

What is the Child-Friendly Seal of Approval?

The Child-Friendly Seal of Approval is awarded to businesses (and other organizations that serve the public) that have taken steps to create a welcoming environment for children, recognizing and accommodating their unique developmental needs. We offer a set of general criteria and industry-specific suggestions for what it means to be child-friendly. Our criteria was developed by a group of child-development experts, business leaders, parents and children—and is constantly growing as we gain experience and success in the public sphere. If you have comments or suggestions about the criteria, please send them to us.

What will the Child-Friendly Seal of Approval do for my business?

By displaying our seal in the window of your establishment, you will show parents (one of the largest consumer groups) that you are committed to supporting children and their families. Furthermore, your business will be listed in our database, The Child-Friendly Locator, for families that are looking for places that welcome their children. Most importantly, it will better your community, which can have far-reaching effects.

How can I make my business more child-friendly?

Taking the initiative to be child-friendly doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Review our criteria to see what you are already doing right and get some new ideas. The more ideas you can implement, the more welcome children and families will feel within your doors. Download a How-To Kit and get started right away! Explore this site for further information, child-friendly success stories and business resources.

What happens next?

Use the Child-Friendly Seal of Approval checklist included in your How-To Kit to evaluate your business. Simply fill out the checklist, adding any services that you feel would benefit your customers, and fax or mail it to CFI. Once we receive your signed checklist, we’ll add you to The Child-Friendly Locator, our national database of child-friendly places. And, we’ll send you a brightly colored decal for display in a window or on a door!

Do I have to comply with the entire list of criteria to earn the Seal of Approval?

No, you don’t have to implement every suggestion we make. Often, just one or two accommodations will make all the difference. A welcoming attitude is the most important thing we look for when evaluating a business for the Seal of Approval.

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