While the Virginia Early Care and Education Learning Collaborative (ECELC) group was filled with stories of positive changes in healthy eating and active play, one story stood out as particularly heartwarming and a testament to collaboration. Valbona (Val) Bytyqi and Ann Marie Ries met at the very first ECELC session in Alexandria, Virginia. Both are… Continue Reading Valbona’s Family Child Care Success
“At Farm School, we not only support the children, but we also support their families,” says the director of Farm School located in Hamilton, Virginia. The teachers at Farm School participated in the National Early Care and Education Learning Collaborative (ECELC) in the fall of 2017. After the first learning session, the staff at Farm… Continue Reading Healthy Habit Challenges at Farm School in Virginia
Mom’s Home Care School Inc., located in Leesburg, Virginia, was thrilled to be part of the National ECE Learning Collaborative in 2016 and continues to practice healthy eating and healthy celebrations to this day. After participating the collaborative, the program changed its policy on celebrations to ensure that all parties serve healthy foods. In addition,… Continue Reading Healthy Festivities at Mom’s Home Care School
Nira Banez, Director of Our Caring Way in Falls Church, Virginia, jumped in with both feet and switched over to a full family style dining practice in March 2018, just after she received a family style dining kit through her participation in the Early Care and Education Learning Collaborative (ECELC) program. In just two weeks… Continue Reading Eating as a Family at Our Caring Way, Virginia
September 24-26, 2018 Williamsburg, Virginia Hear ideas from experts and researchers in the human care licensing field that lead to a better future for vulnerable populations. Listen to lectures and discussions on a broad range of regulatory topics important to all licensing disciplines and positions. Access networking opportunities, brainstorming activities, and discuss common challenges and… Continue Reading NARA Licensing Seminar | Sept 24-26
Aisha and Shaheed, the owners of Play and Learn Daycare in Virginia have been providing quality child care in their home for more than 30 years. The families often come back and spend time with them as a testament to the welcoming and nurturing environment they provide in their home. Aisha and Shaheed are lifetime… Continue Reading Family Style Dining at Play and Learn Daycare
Donald and Audrey Hopkins’s overall goal was to write and implement written healthy policies that would improve the lifestyles for the toddlers in their child care program. As the owners of Nurture Home Care, their journey of making healthy lifestyle changes started with simple displays of healthy living artwork of the children in their care.… Continue Reading Healthy Policies at Nurture Home Care
When Liyuwork Belaineh signed up for the National Early Care and Education Learning Collaborative (ECELC) she was hopeful, yet unconvinced, her home child care center had to make adjustments since they were already an active and healthy center. Liyu quickly discovered there were many things she could do to improve her center’s habits including eliminating… Continue Reading Green Smoothies at Liyu Home Child Care
The National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, in cooperation with the National CACFP Forum, draws anti-hunger and anti-poverty advocates; federal, state and local government officials; child advocates; representatives of food banks and food rescue organizations; and nutrition and anti-obesity groups. Members of Congress, Hill staff, and key Administration officials attend the conference, provide comments as part of… Continue Reading CACFP Leadership and Anti-Hunger Policy Conference