Child Care Wellness Policies

Eating well and being physically active are key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Children who establish healthy habits at a young age greatly reduce their risk for developing many chronic diseases later in life. However, children who learn unhealthy eating habits and are not physically active set the stage for serious health problems.

Sadly, when it comes to eating and exercise, many children are developing unhealthy habits. It is estimated that childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years, and up to one-third of all children now have a weight problem.

At the same time, over one in four children are showing signs of serious malnourishment; due more to the quality of the food consumed than to a lack of food. Nearly 30% of calories in the average American diet come from processed, fast, and junk food, which provide very little nutrition.

Although the current CACFP Food Program requirements address basic nutritional needs, Amy & Kids Co. has adopted healthier standards to help prevent childhood obesity, to address nourishment issues, and to promote the development of lifelong healthy habits.

The following are our voluntary Wellness policies:

Child Care Wellness Policies: Drinks

• Drinking water will be available for the children to access independently. Infants six months an older will be offered water in sippy cups several times daily.
• Juice will never be served to infants under 12 months old, and will be served no more than three times a week to children over 12 months old. When juice is served it will only be 100% fruit or vegetable juice.
• Only 1% or skim milk will be served to children aged 12 months and older. Infants under 12 months will only be fed breastmilk or formula, unless a doctor's order is on file.
• Milk will be unflavored most of the time, although flavored milk may be offered on special occasions.
• Soda and sugary drinks like Kool-Aid will never be served.

Child Care Wellness Policies: Meals

• Meals and snacks will take place at the table; children will not be allowed to walk around with food or drinks. Infants and toddlers will not be allowed to walk around with bottles or sippy cups.
• Food will be prepared in a manner that reduces fat, calories, sugar, and sodium as much as possible.
• A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, with an emphasis on seasonal produce, will be served on a regular basis.
• Whole grains will be served at least once each day; “white” grains will only be served if no whole grain alternative is available.
• Ready-to-eat breakfast cereals will contain no more than 6 grams of sugar per serving.
• A variety of proteins will be served weekly, including legumes, cheese, eggs, fish, poultry, and meat.
• Legumes and fish will each be served at least once every two weeks.
• Processed meats will be served less than once a week and will be nitrate/nitrite free.

• Only real cheese will be served; no processed cheese or cheese foods will be served.
• No pre-fried food items (chicken nuggets, fish sticks, french fries, tator tots) will be served unless no more than 35% of their total calories are from fat. Instead, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, french fries, and the like will be home-made.
• Sweet baked goods will be served less than once a week, only for snack, and will be home-made and/or whole grain when possible.
• Processed foods in general will be limited; foods will be made “from scratch” as time allows.
• Organic foods and foods without hydrogenated fats and/or high fructose corn syrup will be served when available.

Child Care Wellness Policies: Weekly Menus

• A four-week cycle of weekly menus that change with the seasons are planned with the above guidelines in mind.
• Weekly menus include seasonal foods, as well as foods from a variety of cultures.
• Special dietary needs and food allergies will be respected. Weekly menus will changed so children with food allergies or special dietary needs can eat the same foods as the other children.

Child Care Wellness Policies: Nutrition Education

• Nutrition education will be provided to the children on an informal basis through meal time discussions about food, and to parents through hand-outs and other means.
• Caregivers will continue to receive nutrition and/or physical activity education as part of required continuing education.
• Healthy foods and habits will be promoted through posters and planned activities.
• Parties and celebrations will focus on activities rather than food, and will include healthy foods in addition to any special treats.

Child Care Wellness Policies: Physical Activity

• Children will have the opportunity to play actively at least 60 minutes each day.
• Weather permitting, children will play outdoors daily. Active play will be planned indoors during inclement weather.
• Both structured and unstructured physical activities will be available regularly.
• Physical activity will be neither denied or required as a form of punishment.
• Screen time will generally be limited to 2 hours per week. No child will ever be required to watch TV.
• Inactive time will limited as much as possible; a balance of quiet and active activities will be offered daily.

Support for Child Care Wellness

Wondering how we came up with these child care wellness policies? Here are some resources that can help you learn about wellness in child care, and in your child's everyday life!

• Action for Healthy Kids
• Let's Move
• Eat Smart Play Hard