This measure looks at providers demonstrating structured health and nutrition policies for children and parents to ensure a program that supports whole-child development. The intent is for the early learning program to provide additional support and resources to families and staff regarding the overall health and safety of the child.
Examples of health and nutrition practices include:
- At a minimum, a 4-week rotation of meal planning
- Oral health policies and resources
- Screen time usage resources
- Designated breastfeeding area in the facility or classroom
- Farm to early care and education policies and resources
- Consultations with a professional to review nutrition and health policies
- Professional development provided to parents and teachers on nutrition and health best practices (within the current year)
- Health benefit resources
- Hearing and Vision Screenings
- CACFP participation
An adult chair in the classroom with no privacy or an attempt to make it comfortable for breastfeeding, and not providing resources and written policies do not constitute health and nutrition practices.
Category: Category 3: Program Administration
Subcategory: Program Management
Examples
In this section you will find videos, images, and/or documents that can be used to better understand this measure. These examples can also be used in conversations between mentors, directors, and/or teachers to discuss how the program's current practices compare to these examples.
Example Document
This sample menu reflects a variety of healthy meals and snacks. This program rotates the lunch and snack menus to encourage diverse meal planning.
Age(s): Toddler, Preschool
Practice Opportunities
These resources include tips, strategies, activities, or specific tools related to this measure that programs can put into practice.
Publication
PennState Extension provides practitioners with steps and suggestions to support breastfeeding parents. In addition to including written policies in the family handbook and providing a designated breastfeeding area, program leaders can provide this resource in the parent resource library or electronically to support the breastfeeding parent and the overall health and safety of children.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age
Publication
The following is an exemplar of a breastfeeding resource a program can provide to enrolled families. In addition to including written policies in the family handbook and providing a designated breastfeeding area, program leaders can provide this resource in the parent resource library or electronically to support the breastfeeding parent and the overall health and safety of children.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age
Publication
PennState Extension provides practitioners with tips on preparing food for children with a diagnosed peanut allergy. In addition to including written policies in the family handbook about food allergies and how staff handle emergencies, program leaders can provide this resource in the parent resource library or electronically to support the overall health and safety of children.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age
Publication
The following includes direct links to a variety of resources, such as meal planning, breastfeeding, garden-based learning, and oral health. In addition to including written policies in the family and staff handbooks, program leaders can provide these resources electronically or as handouts in their program’s parent resource library to support the overall health and safety of children.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age
Publication
The Department of Agriculture provides suggestions to practitioners and families on including fruits and vegetables in meals throughout the day. In addition to including written policies on nutrition and meal planning, program leaders can provide this handout as a resource to support the overall health and safety of children.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age
Publication
The Department of Agriculture provides suggestions to adults on making nutritious meals to young children. In addition to including written policies on nutrition and meal planning, program leaders can provide this handout as a resource to support the overall health and safety of children.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age
Publication
PennState Extension provides suggestions and tips for early learning programs to support breastfeeding parents. In addition to including written policies in the family handbook and providing a designated breastfeeding area, program leaders can provide this resource in the parent resource library or electronically to support the breastfeeding parent and the overall health and safety of children.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age
Publication
PennState Extension provides helpful information and guidance to families and practitioners of children with diagnosed food allergies. In addition to including written policies in the family handbook about food allergies and how staff handle emergencies, program leaders can provide this resource in the parent resource library or electronically to support the overall health and safety of children.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age
