Tag: nutrition

Posted in Business Practice, ECE Information

Are You Using Go NAPSACC? Maine’s Free ECE Online Health and Nutrition Tool

Posted on by fccamaine
Go NAPSACC makes it easier than ever to give the children in your program a start in developing healthy habits.

Programs use Go NAPSACC to improve their practices, policies and environments in these seven areas:

  • Child Nutrition:
    • Foods & Beverages Provided
    • Feeding Environment & Practices
    • Menus & Variety
  • Breastfeeding & Infant Feeding:
    • Breastfeeding Environment & Support Practices
    • Infant Foods Provided & Feeding Practices
  • Farm to ECE:
    • Local Foods Provided
    • Gardening
  • Oral Health:
    • Toothbrushing
    • Foods & Beverages Provided
    • Teacher Practices
  • Infant & Child Physical Activity:
    • Time Provided
  • Indoor Play Environment:
    • Daily Practices
  • Outdoor Play & Learning:
    • Outdoor Playtime & Play Environment
  • Screen Time:
    • Availability
    • Daily Practices

Go NAPSACC walks providers through the following 5 step process as they look at how to improve their program to support the development of healthy habits for the children in their care. You can work on one or multiple areas at a time. This 5 step process works as a loop that allows for continual review and growth of policy and best practices.

Maine is a partner state with Go NAPSACC, so for providers in Maine to get started you go to: https://gonapsacc.org.

  • Once there you will click on the green JOIN TODAY button on the upper right-hand corner of your screen.
  • Click “continue” under the blue Directors and Owners option.
  • Use registration code: 089vb5tt0le2x2z

Once you have joined Go NAPSACC you can log back in at any time. Remember this resource works because it allows you to continually access and grow your practices around healthy habits.

For more information contact Marissa White, Program Assistant at MCD Public Health / mwhite@mcd.org / 207-622-7566 ext230

Posted in ECE Information

Nutrition Resources

Posted on by fccamaine

Interested in learning more about bringing fresh and nutritious food into your childcare program?

Whether you provide snacks and lunches, or families send them in, as a family child care provider you have a large part to play in developing healthy habits in the children in your care. Did you know that whether you participate in CACFP or not, you can access resources from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service? These materials can be used to support your practices, directly with the children and shared with families.

Check out these resources to learn more about procuring local food, the new CACFP meal patterns, and nutrition education.

  • Procuring Local Foods for Child Nutrition Programs
  • CACFP Best Practices ~ This best practices tip sheet further helps increase consumption of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and reduce the consumption of added sugars and saturated fats.
  • Grow It, Try It, Like It! ~ This garden-themed nutrition education kit introduces children to: three fruits – peaches, strawberries, and cantaloupe, and three vegetables – spinach, sweet potatoes, and crookneck squash.
  • Wellness Tips for Young Children ~ Available to public as free PDF download or if participating in CACFP you can order a free print copy. Tips such as:
    • Build a Healthy Plate With Fruits 21839269649_58a611cf25_o
    • Meat and Meat Alternates: Build a Healthy Plate with Protein
    • Build a Healthy Plate With Less Salt and Sodium
    • Practice the Basics of Food Safety to Prevent Foodborne Illness
    • Promote Active Play Through Written Policies and Practices
    • Supplement B: Care for Children With Food Allergies
    • Supplement D: Create a Positive Meal Environment
    • Supplement E: Support Family Style Meals
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Another great opportunity is Farm to School, which now includes Farm to Early Childhood Programs. Check out this Step-by-Step guide for providers, from Michigan’s Farm to School, to find out how to get started with Farm to ECE.