Child Feeding Environment
Children learn from adult role models.
Child care staff can promote nutrition by creating a culture of healthy eating throughout supportive environments. By modeling healthy habits, avoiding unhealthy eating in front of children, and displaying material that supports healthy eating, staff can "practice what they preach" and show children that good nutrition is something normal that anyone can follow. They can also support young children in developing essential life skills related to healthy eating.
Best Practices
Select each GO NAPSACC best practice goal below to find related resources.
"In general, preschool children always choose and serve all foods themselves at meal and snack times."
Action Guide: For Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies
Summary: Guidelines for feeding practice policies and practices that support child nutrition.
Source: Connecticut State Department of Education
Family Style Dining Guide: A Mealtime Approach for Early Care and Education Programs
Summary: For child care providers in all types of programs, this guide walks through how to implement best practices of serving meals family style with toddlers and preschoolers.
Source: Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral Association
Family Style Meal Service with Children
Summary: Toolkit on how to hold family style meal service in child care, meeting federal CACFP guidelines.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Intuitive Eating for Kids
Summary: An informative flyer for providers and parents explaining what intuitive eating is and how it can help children them stay in touch with their hunger and fullness cues, try new foods, and have a healthy relationship with food.
Source: Utah Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: Nutrition toolkit that describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
"Television and videos are never on during meal or snack times."
Action Guide: For Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies
Summary: Guidelines for feeding practice policies and practices that support child nutrition.
Source: Connecticut State Department of Education
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Media and Children
Summary: This website includes information about media time and how it impacts children. It also has parent resources, such as “Beyond Screen Time: A Parent’s Guide to Media Use” and “Family Media Plan.”
Source: The American Academy of Pediatrics
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: Nutrition toolkit that describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 63-71.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture. Food and Nutrition Service
"When in classrooms during meal and snack times, teachers and staff always eat and drink the same foods and beverages as children."
Action Guide: For Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies
Summary: Guidelines for feeding practice policies and practices that support child nutrition.
Source: Connecticut State Department of Education
Family Style Dining Guide: A Mealtime Approach for Early Care and Education Programs
Summary: For child care providers in all types of programs, this guide walks through how to implement best practices of serving meals family style with toddlers and preschoolers.
Source: Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral Association
Family Style Meal Service with Children
Summary: Toolkit on how to hold family style meal service in child care, meeting federal CACFP guidelines.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: Nutrition toolkit that describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
Nibbles for Health Newsletter – Together…Let’s Try New Foods!
Summary: Newsletter featuring tips for trying new foods with children, and includes a tasting reward chart.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture , Food and Nutrition Services
Sample Child Care Nutrition Policy
Summary: A sample policy that allows a center to fill in the blanks and customize to meet their needs.
Source: South Carolina Child Care Services
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
"Teachers and staff rarely or never eat or drink unhealthy foods or beverages in front of children."
Action Guide: For Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies
Summary: Guidelines for feeding practice policies and practices that support child nutrition.
Source: Connecticut State Department of Education
Family Style Dining Guide: A Mealtime Approach for Early Care and Education Programs
Summary: For child care providers in all types of programs, this guide walks through how to implement best practices of serving meals family style with toddlers and preschoolers.
Source: Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral Association
Family Style Meal Service with Children
Summary: Toolkit on how to hold family style meal service in child care, meeting federal CACFP guidelines.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: Nutrition toolkit that describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
Nibbles for Health Newsletter – Together…Let’s Try New Foods!
Summary: Newsletter featuring tips for trying new foods with children, and includes a tasting reward chart.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services
Sample Child Care Nutrition Policy
Summary: A sample policy that allows a center to fill in the blanks and customize to meet their needs.
Source: South Carolina Child Care Services
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
"Teachers enthusiastically role model eating healthy foods at every meal and snack time."
Action Guide: For Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies
Summary: Guidelines for feeding practice policies and practices that support child nutrition.
Source: Connecticut State Department of Education
Family Style Dining Guide: A Mealtime Approach for Early Care and Education Programs
Summary: For child care providers in all types of programs, this guide walks through how to implement best practices of serving meals family style with toddlers and preschoolers.
Source: Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral Association
Family Style Meal Service with Children
Summary: Toolkit on how to hold family style meal service in child care, meeting federal CACFP guidelines.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Making Healthy Choices: Week 17 – Pleasing Picky Eaters
Summary: Newsletter featuring tips for trying ways to help children who are selective eaters try new foods.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: Nutrition toolkit that describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
Nibbles for Health Newsletter – Together…Let’s Try New Foods!
Summary: Newsletter featuring tips for trying new foods with children, and includes a tasting reward chart.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services
Sample Child Care Nutrition Policy
Summary: A sample policy that allows a center to fill in the blanks and customize to meet their needs.
Source: South Carolina Child Care Services
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
"There is a large variety of posters, books, and other learning materials that promote healthy eating, with items added or rotated seasonally."
Action Guide: For Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies
Summary: Guidelines for feeding practice policies and practices that support child nutrition.
Source: Connecticut State Department of Education
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: Nutrition toolkit that describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
Nibbles for Health Newsletter – Together…Let’s Try New Foods!
Summary: Newsletter featuring tips for trying new foods with children, and includes a tasting reward chart.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture , Food and Nutrition Services
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
There are few or no posters, books, or other learning materials that promote unhealthy foods.
Action Guide: For Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies
Summary: Guidelines for feeding practice policies and practices that support child nutrition.
Source: Connecticut State Department of Education
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Making Healthy Choices: Week 17 – Pleasing Picky Eaters
Summary: Newsletter featuring tips for trying ways to help children who are selective eaters try new foods.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: Nutrition toolkit that describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
"There are no soda or other vending machines on site."
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Click on the "Provide Healthy Beverages" circle to get information about water, what kind of milk to serve children of different ages, and 100% juices. This includes a link to a e-book about water that you can play/read to your day care kids, as well as a water tip sheet. Use the menu to the left to find more activities and resources.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: Nutrition toolkit that describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
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