Success Stories: What’s Working for Others
Not sure you’re ready or able to make changes now? You can. Child care providers just like you have improved nutrition and physical activities in their centers.
These success stories describe ways that all types of programs—from small family home centers to county-wide programs—are serving healthier food and beverages, increasing physical activity and supporting breastfeeding in their programs.
SUCCESS IN
HEALTHY GOALS OVERALL
SUCCESS IN
HEALTHY GOALS OVERALL
A Gr8t Beginning Academy, California: Healthy Lessons Learned
Adventure Planet, Kansas: Engaging With Families
Babies 2 Kids Learning Center, Iowa: Enhancing Healthy Practices
Bestow Early Learning Center, Alabama: Farm Days and “Yogurt”
Camas Early Learning Center, Washington: Seeing a Healthy Transformation
Cocoa Campus Child Development Center, Florida: Promoting Healthier Habits
Farm School, Virginia: Healthy Habit Challenges
Gallier Home Child Care, Virginia: A Total Turn Around
Hand-in-Hand Learning Center, California: Still Moving Hand-in-Hand
Hernandez Child Care, California: Green Eggs and Ham
Family Child Care, Indiana: Sisters Sharing Healthy Best Practices from ECELC
Kerri’s Kidsville Babyville, Missouri: Taking Steps to a Healthy Success
KinderCare Learning Center, Florida: Healthy Celebrations
Kountry Kid Care, Iowa: Reducing Screen Time
LadyBugHugs, Kansas: HOP’N Towards Health
Lakeview Child Center, New Jersey: Embracing Best Practices
Little Life Academy, Arkansas: Healthy Living
Miramar United Methodist Preschool, Florida: Creating a Healthy Environment
Nurture Home Care, Virginia: Healthy Policies
Taylor County Head Start, Florida: ECELC Inspires Healthy Changes
Tiny Tots of Apopka, Florida: Making Healthy Changes
Valbona’s Family Child Care, Virginia: Family Child Care Success
Wee Rock Learning Center, Minnesota: Workplace Wellness
Young Legends, Florida: Healthy Changes
Arkansas: How ECE Providers Built Bridges in Arkansas
Idaho: Boise Adopts Health Standards for Child Care Facilities
Maryland: HKHF Quiz Incorporated into QRIS and CACFP
Maryland: Health Department Reaches Out to ECE Providers
Maryland: Washington County Puts Action Planning to Work
Massachusetts: Boston’s Healthy Child Care Initiative
North Carolina: Healthy Me, Healthy We
Oklahoma: Keeping Hearts Healthy
SUCCESS IN
NURTURING HEALTHY EATERS
SUCCESS IN
NURTURING HEALTHY EATERS
Angeles Mesa YWCA, California: Healthy Celebrations
Arlington Christian Academy, Florida: Expanding Outdoor Learning
Brainy Tots Bilingual Preschool, Missouri: Discovering Purple Carrots
C.A.R.E. for Me Center, New Jersey: Family Style Dining
CentroNia, Washington D.C.: Inspiring Children to Make Healthy Choices
Children’s Learning Paradise, Virginia: Working Together to Make a Change
Conway Cradle Care, Arkansas: Teaching Adolescent Parents to Cook Healthy
Country Club Christian Church, Missouri: Cooking Camp Inspired by ECELC
Creative Minds Learning Center, Kentucky: Healthy Eating
Deep Creek Country Day School, Virginia: A Healthier Lifestyle is on the Menu
Drew Rainbow Child Development Center, California: A Little Bit of Help Goes a Long Way
Early Childhood Alliance-Beacon, Indiana: Growing Healthier
Faith Children’s Center-Girls Club of Los Angeles: Helping Parents Make Healthy Changes
First Lutheran Childcare Center, Wisconsin: Awarded Garden Grant
Gutierrez Child Care, California: Healthy Changes
Hand-in-Hand Learning Center, California: Staff Teams Up to Help Kids Grow Up Healthy
Impact Learning Center, Florida: Making a Huge Impact
Jackson Child Care, Virginia: Serving Meals Family Style
JCCS Angel Care, Kentucky: Eating Healthy
Jewish Community Center ECE, Maryland: Making Family Style Dining Work
JBLE Child Development Program, Virginia: Family Style Dining Tips
Joy’s Kids ClubHouse, California: A Recipe for Success
Kerri’s Kidsville, Missouri: Taking Steps for Healthy Success
Kettle Moraine YMCA Early Learning Center, Wisconsin: Teaching While Gardening
Kiddie Garden, Vermont: Children Access Water as They Please
Kinder Land Child Care Center, Florida: Gardening
Kings Kids Learning Center, Florida: Shucking Corn
Latin American Community Center, Delaware: Transforming Nutrition
The Learning Tree, Florida: Gardening and Healthy Food
Little Friends Family Child Care Home, Virginia: From Fast Food to Prepped Food
Little Learners, Virginia: Eating Healthy
Liyu Home Child Care, Virginia: Green Smoothies
Meadowlands Area YMCA, New Jersey: Nurturing Healthy Eaters
Miami Valley Child Development Centers, Ohio: Using Dietitians to Engage Families
Middleton Primary Center, California: Snacks and Crafts Lead to Healthy Change
Mom’s Home Care School, Virginia: Healthy Festivities
Monkey Business ECE, Wisconsin: Embracing Farm to Preschool
Mount Hood Community College Head Start, Oregon: Eating Healthy Foods (Video)
My First School, California: Family Style Dining Reduces Waste
Neighborhood House Association Head Start, California: Overhauling Their Menu
New Dimensions Learning Center, Florida: Gardening for a Healthier Tomorrow
Oakridge Child Care Center, Florida: Goodbye to Junk Food
Our Caring Way, Virginia: Eating as a Family
Our House Family Child Care, Michigan: Teaching Kids How to Make Healthy Choices
Our Lady of Lourdes Day Care, Kentucky: Healthy Sweets and Treats
Park Ave Christian Nursery, California: Changes Influence First Field Trip in 25 Years
Penfield Children’s Center, Wisconsin: Committed to Nutrition and Families
Play and Learn Daycare, Virginia: Family Style Dining
Pomona Early Head Start, California: Plant and Grow
Redland Migrant Title 1 Preschool, Florida: Quenching a Thirst
Renate Zahn Family Child Care Program, Missouri: Nutritious Celebrations
Satori School, Arizona: Change of Policy Means Change of Heart
Southside Children’s Center, Colorado: Training Staff and Educating Families
St. Anthony’s Preschool, California: Drinking Water Success
Sugarland Learning Academy, Virginia: Eating Healthy
Taos Pueblo Head Start, New Mexico: Gardening and Dining Family Style
Tender Years, Alabama: New Healthy Menu
Tiffany’s Lil Bratz, Kentucky: H2O is the Way to Go
United Christian Education Center, California: Planting Seeds
West Haven Child Development Center, Connecticut: Watching Our Garden Grow
California: San Diego County Farm to School Taskforce Update
Colorado: Wildwood Child and Adult Care Food Program
Florida: Seeding Orange County Head Start Gardens
Hawaii: Farm to Keiki
Kansas: Educators Embrace Farm to Preschool
Minnesota: Farm to Childcare in St. Paul
Minnesota: Team Nutrition/LMCC Initiative
Minnesota: Twist and Sprout
Missouri: Programs Receive “Eat Smart” Recognition
New York: Bringing Farm to Preschool to Long Island
Ohio: Water First for Thirst
Oregon: Culinary Workshop Trains School Chefs
Texas: Brighter Bites Program Provides Produce for Families
Texas: Farm to Child Care Takes Root
Virginia: Embracing Different Cultures in Fairfax County
Wisconsin: Farm to Preschool is Growing
SUCCESS IN
INCREASING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
SUCCESS IN
INCREASING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Bonnie’s Family Child Care, Virginia: Moving While Learning
Bright Start Child Development Center, Kentucky: Get Moving
Brighter Day Child Development Center, Missouri: Screen Time Removed
Cheney Elementary VPK, Florida: Linking Learning to Physical Activity
Chico State Child Care, California: Increasing Opportunities in Preschool Physical Activity
Dreams Family Child Care, Shoreline, Washington: Increasing Infant Physical Activity
Early Head Start Palm Plaza, Florida: Let’s Move! Family Fun Day
Glendora Children’s Center, California: Let it Go With Yoga
The Goddard School, Pennsylvania: Teachers Increase Healthy Steps
Good 4 Kidz Child Care Center, Virginia: A Creative Way for Outdoor Play
Greentree Learning and Child Care Center, Missouri: Daddy is My Superhero
Gutierrez Family Child Care, California: Active Play
Jack in the Box Schools, New Jersey: Limiting Screen Time
Kamie’s Kid Kare, Alaska: Increasing Winter Outdoor Activities
Kidzone Learning Center, Florida: Getting Toned
Little Cruiser Child Care Center, Florida: Cruising Around
Rockcastle Hospital CDC, Kentucky: Racing and Gaining Energy
St. Anthony’s Preschool, California: Workout Wednesdays
Temple Beit HaYam Early Childhood Center, Florida: Let’s Do Yoga
Tender Times Child Care, Wisconsin: Getting Kids Moving with Few Resources
Florida: Hula Hooping to PREVENT Obesity
SUCCESS IN
Supporting Breastfeeding
SUCCESS IN
Supporting Breastfeeding
Anita’s Family Day Care, Virginia: Creative Breastfeeding Space
Beachwood Nursery School, New Jersey: Improving Breastfeeding Practices
Childtown Child Care, Kentucky: Breastfeeding-Friendly
Early College Child Care Center, Oregon: A Private Space for Breastfeeding Mothers
The Learning Place, New Jersey: Providing a Private Breastfeeding Space
McLean Playtime Daycare, Virginia: Comfortable Private Breastfeeding Space
Tempe Christian Preschool, Arizona: Creating a Supportive Breastfeeding Area
Trinity CDC, Florida: Becoming a Certified Breastfeeding-Friendly Center
Arizona: Breastfeeding-Friendly Initiatives
North Carolina: 10 Steps to Support Breastfeeding
SUCCESS IN
STATE & LOCAL EFFORTS
SUCCESS IN
STATE & LOCAL EFFORTS
Arizona: Breastfeeding-Friendly Initiatives
California: Children’s Council Hosts Healthy Apple Awards
California: San Diego County Farm to School Taskforce Update
Colorado: State Passes New ECE Rules
Colorado: Wildwood Child and Adult Care Food Program
Florida: Hula Hooping to PREVENT Obesity
Florida: Seeding Orange County Head Start Gardens
Georgia: Bright from the Start Supports Wellness Policies
Georgia: Farm to Preschool
Hawaii: Farm to Keiki
Idaho: Boise Adopts Health Standards for Child Care Facilities
Idaho: Improving Child Care Training
Kansas: Educators Embrace Farm to Preschool
Maryland: LMCC Quiz Incorporated into QRIS and CACFP
Maryland: Health Department Reaches Out to ECE Providers
Maryland: Washington County Puts Action Planning to Work
Massachusetts: Boston’s Healthy Child Care Initiative
Minnesota: Farm to Childcare in St. Paul
Minnesota: Team Nutrition/LMCC Initiative
Minnesota: Twist and Sprout
Missouri: Programs Receive “Eat Smart” Recognition
New York: Bringing Farm to Preschool to Long Island
New York: New York City Improves ECE Rules
North Carolina: 10 Steps to Support Breastfeeding
North Carolina: Healthy Me, Healthy We
Ohio: Early Childhood Wellness Taskforce
Ohio: Water First for Thirst
Oklahoma: Keeping Hearts Healthy
Oregon: Culinary Workshop Trains School Chefs
Texas: Brighter Bites Program Provides Produce for Families
Texas: Farm to Child Care Takes Root
Virginia: Embracing Different Cultures in Fairfax County
Washington: Healthier ECE Environments in Seattle
Washington: University Develops LMCC Trainings
Washington D.C.: District Passes Healthy Tots Act
Wisconsin: Farm to Preschool is Growing
ECELC Success Stories
These stories highlight just a few of the successes from early care and education (ECE) programs who have participated in the National Early Care and Education Learning Collaborative (ECELC) over the years. They are meant to inspire, motivate, and celebrate all the ECE programs committed to creating healthier environments for children.