Bridging the Gap: Bringing Nutrition to Child Care

Abstract There has been an increase in the number of the children who live in homes where all parents are employed. More than 21% of the children live below poverty, therefore the Preventive Health and Health Services Local Prevention Grant targets young families and children for the establishment of early healthy behaviors. A collaboration with County Extension provides staff training and manuals to increase awareness of nutrition and physical activity and facilitate changes in food choices and/or curricula. A survey was used to determine if there were system changes. 182 surveys were distributed and 32% (58) were returned. 41% (24) increased the number of servings of fruits and vegetables and 57% (34) had made lower fat choices. 97% (56) indicated that the manual was incorporated into the curriculum. Day care program interventions involving staff and parents appear to be effective in establishing early healthy behaviors.