Childcare Provider Assessment Tools
- The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill has developed the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) program. NAP SACC is a practice-based intervention designed to enhance policies, practices, and environments in child care by improving the:
- nutritional quality of food served,
- amount and quality of physical activity
- staff-child interactions
- facility nutrition and physical activity policies and practices and related environmental characteristics
- NAP SACC has developed a set of best practice recommendations for child care providers - click here to view!
Nutrition in Childcare
- Healthy Food
Access for Rural Family Child Care Providers ~ Tomorrow’s Table. A new report exploring access to
healthy foods among rural, family-based childcare providers in Minnesota has
been released. The research highlights ongoing challenges in accessing
and using healthier choices among these providers and innovative strategies
from around the country for improving access. Click here to view the report.
- LANA - Learning About Nutrition through Activities: The LANA Learning About Nutrition through Activities program is aimed at helping preschool children develop healthy eating habits and learn to taste, eat and enjoy more fruits and vegetables. Studies show that people who eat more fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of cancer, heart disease and obesity - and the best place to start developing healthy eating habits is during childhood.
- LANA Preschool Program Website: Click here!
- Five Minute Nutrition Activities for Preschoolers Kit Click here!
- Five Minute Recipes for Kids! Click here!
- The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy just launched a new Farm to Child Care pilot program with New Horizon Academy. For more information visit their website.
Physical Activity in Childcare
** Also click here and scroll to see resources provided to schools that might also be useful!**
Choosy Kids IMIL Resources
Click here for Information on I am Moving, I am Learning Program that helps childcare providers incorporate movement into the childcare setting!
- 5 Minute Physical Activities for kids! Click here!
- Smart Moves- Why learning is not all in your head Click here!
- Brain Gym Book - Click here!
- Energizing Brain Breaks - Click here!
General Information on Healthy Childcare
- Training resources on preventing childhood obesity in childcare settings. Click here!
- American Academy of Pediatrics - Healthy Childcare Website: Click here to view!
- Let's Move! Childcare: Offers information, resources and ideas for incorporating physical activity and nutrition into childcare settings. Click here to view!
- Let’s Move! Child Care is First Lady Michelle Obama’s effort to promote children’s health by encouraging and supporting healthier physical activity and nutrition practices for children in child care. The 5 Goals are:
- Physical Activity – Get kids moving
- Screen Time – Reduce it
- Food – Make nutrition fun
- Beverages – Offer healthier beverages
- Infant feeding – Welcome breastfeeding; support parents’ decisions
- Child care providers are encouraged to sign up at here. There they can take the Let’s Move! Child Care Checklist Quiz, build a customized action plan, access ideas and resources, share their stories and earn a recognition award. As an added incentive, the states with the most child care providers who register and those who complete the entire initiative by early April will receive national recognition, including an award presentation at the 2012 Weight of the Nation Conference. Support SHIP goals and win recognition for Minnesota’s childhood obesity efforts in child care by encouraging participation in Let’s Move! Child Care!
- Sesame Street Parents Videos and Activities - lots of videos, games and fun resources for parents, childcare providers and more to implement healthy eating and physical activity! A wealth of information and fun educational opportunities for kids! Click here to go to Sesame Street!
