|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutrition

USDA Nutritional Training for Family Child Care Centers

The United States Department of Agriculture has several nutrition resources available for child-care centers. The agency oversees the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which reimburses child-care centers for money spent on healthy food for preschool children. To meet the nutritional training needs of child-care providers, the USDA offers materials and supports training with grants and other funding through affiliate organizations such as Child and Adult Care Food Program, Cooperative Extension, program sponsors and the National Food Service Management Institute at the University of Mississippi.

  1. The Child and Adult Care Food Program Nutrition Training

    • In order for child-care centers to receive reimbursement from government agencies, nonprofits and other organizations through the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the meals they serve must meet certain nutritional guidelines. The agencies that provide reimbursement offer training to child-care centers, including instruction in nutrition, preparing healthy meals for children, and nutrition-related activities for use in the classroom.

    Cooperative Extension Child Care Training Programs

    • Cooperative Extension is a national network of informal educational agencies affiliated with the USDA and America's land-grant universities. Extension centers are located in all 50 states, with county-level offices. The county centers serve as the link between land-grant universities and communities. Family and Consumer Sciences educators serve as university field faculty, providing in-service training for child-care professionals in nutrition-related areas. Training provided by Extension educators includes classes that focus on implementing nutritional-based educational activities in the classroom, preventing childhood obesity, and the importance of physical activity for young children. Cooperative Extension educators develop training materials based on USDA research and use materials funded by USDA grants in their workshops. Cooperative Extension educators are approved by state child-care licensing agencies to provide training for family child-care centers.

    National Food Service Management Institute

    • Congress established the National Food Service Management institute in 1991. The institute is funded by a grant administered through USDA. The institute offers free or low-cost online courses in food preparation, nutrition and food safety. Those who take online courses can earn one to four hours of continuing education credit. The institute offers face-to-face training and technical assistance.

    How to Locate Nutrition Training For Child Care Homes

    • When seeking training, family child-care home providers should consult the state or local agency that regulates family child-care homes. These agencies monitor homes and determine what type of training is needed and who is qualified to provide it. The local office of the Cooperative Extension is another excellent resource. Extension educators partner with local CACFP affiliates and can assist family child-care providers in utilizing resources available through the National Food Service Management Institute.

Nutrition - Related Articles