Nutrition and Physical Activity: Child Care Programs
Child care providers and teachers play a key role in helping young children establish healthy eating and physical activity habits for a lifetime. The following nutrition and physical activity services and resources can help you put children on a path to a healthy life.
Regulations and Best Practices at Child Care Centers
- Nutrition and Physical Activity Regulations in Child Care Centers (PDF): This document provides an overview of nutrition and physical activity regulations for child care centers in NYC.
Other Languages: Español | 中文 | Русский - Nutrition and Physical Activity Best Practices for Child Care Centers (PDF): This document outlines recommended practices and resources for child care centers, including guidelines from the New York City Health Code, New York City Food Standards and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
Other Languages: Español | 中文 | Русский - Nutrition Guidelines for Parents (PDF): While at the child care center, children should receive meals and snacks that are healthy and well-balanced. This handout provides guidelines for healthy foods and drinks for parents to send with their child.
Other Languages: Español | 中文 | Русский | 한국어 | 한국어 | Kreyòl ayisyen - A Guide to Improving Physical Activity and Nutrition in Group Child Care Centers (PDF): Child care centers are encouraged to support healthy habits among young children by developing and adopting a written nutrition and physical activity policy that builds on city and federal regulations and standards. To assist in developing a policy, this guide provides examples of written policies and communication tools for child care centers.
- Promoting Nutrition and Physical Activity in Child Care Settings (PDF): This toolkit provides child care centers with promotional materials to support the development of healthy habits. Materials include:
- Posters about nutrition and physical activity for children ages 0-5 years.
- Information sheets relevant to each poster topic.
- Ideas for promoting the messages in the child care center.
Other Languages (PDF): Español | 中文 | বাংলা | Kreyòl ayisyen | 한국어
Nutrition and Physical Activity Curricula
- Growing Healthy Children (PDF): Teachers of preschool-aged children can use this curriculum to teach nutrition lessons and cooking activities in the classroom and with adult caregivers.
Visual Aids:- Adult Activity Cards (PDF)
- Movement Cards (PDF)
- Cooking Rules Posters (PDF)
- Points-to-Cover Posters (PDF)
- Food Picture Cards (PDF)
- Eat Well Play Hard in Child Care Settings for Pre-K through 1st Grade (PDF): Teachers of pre-K through 1st grade can use this curriculum to teach hands-on nutrition lessons.
- Eating Healthy for Success (PDF): Pre-K, kindergarten and 1st grade teachers can use this curriculum to encourage the exploration of healthy foods while integrating New York State Next Generation learning standards. It consists of 35 fun lessons that can be taught throughout the school year.
- Move-to-Improve Early Childhood curriculum: Move-to-Improve Early Childhood curriculum offers a comprehensive and engaging way to help teachers integrate physical activity into all areas of classroom academics. It is designed to help child care centers and preschools reach the NYC Health Code-mandated 30 minutes of structured physical activity per day.
Eat Well Play Hard Champion Initiative
Child care centers that participate in the CACFP may be eligible to join the Eat Well Play Hard Champion Initiative. The initiative provides:
- Hands-on classes for children and families.
- Training, tool kits and technical assistance for staff to enhance and sustain a healthy center environment.
- Mentoring for teachers to conduct nutrition education in the classroom.
For more information, including how to find out if your center is eligible, email ewph@health.nyc.gov.
E-Newsletter
Child care centers can sign up to receive the e-newsletter "Eat Healthy, Be Active: Newsletter for Group Childcare Centers". It provides information and resources to help create and sustain a healthy environment for children, families and staff.
Additional Resources
- NYC School Food
- USDA Farm to Preschool
- Farm to Early Care and Education
- Let's Move! Child Care
- Choose My Plate
- EatPlayGrow
- Team Nutrition Resources A-Z
- Grow It, Try It, Like It! Preschool Fun with Fruits and Vegetables