Creating a child care wellness policy

Creating a Child Care Wellness Policy

Illinois Nutrition Education and Training Program

The Illinois NET Program is supported by the Illinois State Board of Education

Understand the childhood obesity problem

Learn about new federal regulations

Learn how a wellness policy can get you ready

Goals

Discover how to create a wellness policy

Find tools to implement your policy

Identify tools to evaluate your wellness practices

Goals

75% of children (1-5yrs) participate

21% of preschoolers are overweight or obese

Children consume almost 75% of their daily calories in child care settings

Children’s habits are being formed

Why focus on child care?

>50% of obese children were obese at age two

Too much sodium and saturated fat

Too little fruits, veggies and whole grains

Physical activity guidelines havebeen inconsistent

More unsettling statistics:

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010:

New drinking water rule

New milk rule

Effective October 1, 2011

A prescription for change

Proposed rule for CACFP meal patterns by June 2012

USDA Guidance Handbook 2012

Final rule in Fall 2013

What else is coming?

Commitment

Guidance

Evaluation

Education

Assurance

Why do YOU need a wellness policy?

Healthy Nutrition Environment Healthy Foods and Drinks Mealtime Environment

Learning About Healthy Food Choices

Physical Activity Environment Playtime Play Environment Learning About Physical Activity

What’s in a wellness policy?

Staff training

Engaging community partners

Educating parents

Assess and review

Tips for developing a successful wellness policy

Model Polices for a Healthy Nutrition

Environment

1.Drinking water is available to children throughout the day, including at mealtimes, upon their request.

2.Children age two and older are served low-fat (1%) or fat-free (skim) fluid milk.

Policy Area: Beverages

3. 100% juice is offered no more than three times per week.

Policy Area: Beverages

Tips for implementation

Allow kids to serve themselves

Start a water routine

Remind staff to be role models

Add some fruit slices for taste

Always serve water betweenmeals

Substitute water or whole fruit/veggies

Educate parents and staff

Staff members drink water too


1. A cycle menu of three weeks or longer that changes with the seasons is used. Entrees are repeated no more than two times throughout the cycle, and repetition of other food items is minimal.

2. Menus include foods from a variety of cultures.

Policy Area: Menus and Variety

Staff training

USDA resources

Parent input

Go for different colors and textures

Cultural celebrations


1. Staff members allow children to decide how much to eat. Children are never forced to eat or try new foods.

2. Staff members never use food to reward good behavior.

3. Staff members join children at the table for meals and snack.

Policy Area: Mealtime Environment

4. Meals are served family-style

5. The center displays pictures or posters that support healthy eating

Policy Area: Mealtime Environment

Educate Staff

Talk about hunger and fullness cues

Use non-food rewards

Engage parents


Staff breaks during naptime not mealtime

Divide food items into a few smaller bowls

Practice passing dishes

Activity Time!


1. The center has guidelines for foods brought into the facility and served for holidays and celebrations.

2. Holidays are celebrated with mostly healthy foods and non-food treats.

3. Non-food fundraising activities

Policy Area: Foods from Outside the Facility

Create a celebration list

Make the birthday child feel special

Get children involved

Try a healthy piñata

Sell useful items


1. Staff members receive training on nutrition at least twice per year

2. Nutrition education opportunities are offered to parents at least twice per year

Policy Area: Nutrition Education

3. Nutrition education lessons are incorporated into the weekly schedule

Policy Area: Nutrition Education

Staff training

Schedule training days

Join other centers

Keep parents informed

Find the right curriculum


Model Polices for a Healthy Physical Activity

Environment

1. Children have at least 120 minutesof active playtime each day

2. Children participate in structured physical activities two or more times per day

3. Children participate in outdoor active play two or more times per day

Policy Area: Active Play and Inactive Time

4. Active playtime is not withheld when children misbehave; additional playtime is offered for good behavior.

5. Television or videos are rarely or never shown in the facility.

Policy Area: Active Play and Inactive Time

Set up “blocks” of playtime

Structured and unstructured

Staff training

Rainy day activities

Support parents with resources


1. A wide variety of fixed play equipment is available to meet the needs of all children.

2. A wide variety of portable play equipment is available for children to use at the same time.

Policy Area: Play Environment

Amp up your play space

Grant/funding opportunities

Playtime in shifts

Rotate your portable equipment

Enlist parents


1. Staff members encourage children to be active and join children in active play.

2. The center displays pictures or posters to promote physical activity

3. Staff members receive training on physical activity at least twice per year.

Policy Area: Supporting Physical Activity

Encourage staff physical activity

Train staff

Posters

Educate parentsActivity Time!


Create reliable policies

Be informed

Support your staff

Educate your parents

Be flexible

Be smart

Be patient

Key take-away points

KidsEatWell.org/WorkshopHandouts.html

Handouts for this Presentation

The Illinois Nutrition Education and Training Program

800-466-7998 KidsEatWell.org

This institution is an equal opportunity employer.

Creating a child care wellness policy

Health & Medicine

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