Creating a Wellness Plan for your Child Care Facility

Why do Child Care Facilities need Wellness Plans? A Wellness Plan is a set of statements around the specific practices promoted at your program. The day- to-day practices of your program play a key role in helping children develop healthy eating and physical activity habits. Adapted from The Nemours Child Care Wellness Policy Workbook

Defining your policies Defining a program’s policies around day-to-day practices can: Communicate core values and principles regarding healthy habits to child care providers, to current and potential families and to the community. Help child care providers and families act as role models for children by practicing healthy habits themselves. Help guide those teaching children about the importance of these healthy habits. Adapted from The Nemours Child Care Wellness Policy Workbook

Use Strong Language to Support your Policy Use words like: Shall, Will, Must, Have to, Insist, Require, Comply, Enforce give clear guidance and leaves little room for ambiguity or misinterpretation. Weak language leaves room for multiple interpretations as to how the facility would enforce the policy or handle a situation. Words like: may, can, could, should, might, encourage, suggest and urge are vague, unclear and potentially confusing.

Steps for a Successful Wellness Plan 2 Plan for change 3 Implement the changes 4 Evaluate for effectiveness 1 Assess where you are Adapted from Healthy Bites, Wisconsin DPI

1. Assessment Use the Quick Start Guide on the CACFP website to get a picture of your current program and to prioritize areas that need improvement.Quick Start Guide The Quick Start Guide will lead you step-by-step through the process of identifying areas that need the most attention and help you see that you are already doing a lot to promote a healthy environment.

Assessment – Quick Start Guide The Quick Start Guide is broken into 7 sections: 1. Meals oBreakfast oSnacks oLunch/Supper 2. Physical Activity 3. Nutrition Education 4. Eating Environment 5. Parties/Celebrations/Fundraising 6. Wellness Team 7. Staff Wellness

Wellness Plan Quick Start Guide

2. Plan Using the results of the self-assessment, prioritize the areas that need improvement. Ask yourself questions like: What area or areas do we want to address? What do we hope to achieve with the plan? Who will be responsible for this task? Who or what might stop us from achieving our desired outcome? What steps will we take to achieve our desired outcome? What is our timeline and how will we measure our progress?

Plan Also ask: Is the plan worth it? Yes means you believe achieving your desired outcome will have positive effects for children, families, staff, and your business. Is the plan concrete, specific and measureable?

3. Implement Start implementing the changes that you have identified as necessary or desirable. Begin with those changes that are easiest to implement. Take your time but don’t be afraid to push yourself past your comfort zone! Work at a pace that is comfortable for you, your staff and your facility.

4. Evaluate Repeat assessment to understand whether your policy and program changes were effective. Assessment tools are available and they can direct your program toward additional opportunities for improvement. Wellness Child Care Assessment Tool (WellCCAT) mentToolForResearch.pdf

Wellness Child Care Assessment Tool

Overview of Wellness Plan Requirements There are 6 basic areas to include in a Wellness Plan: 1. Wellness Team 2. Nutrition/Feeding Environment 3. Nutrition Education 4. Physical Activity 5. Staff Wellness 6. Wellness Policy Evaluation

Establish a Wellness Team Before you begin creating your wellness plan, identify and form a team of individuals to assist you. Wellness Team may include: Teachers/ Caregivers Food Service Staff Parents/ Guardians Board members Community health care professionals/ local Registered Dietitian Extension Educator A team of 3 or more people, depending on the size of your organization, will make conducting the assessment easier.

Nutrition/Feeding Environment Meals Guidelines for all meals served What type of foods are available to the children? Children should not have access to vending machines. Breastfeeding Guidelines for breastfeeding mothers. Training for proper handling and storage of human milk. Environment Safety/Sanitation Employee roles models Parties/Celebrations Guidelines for foods used during birthday parties or holiday celebrations. Fundraising Regulations for food items/goods sold for fundraisers.

Nutrition Education How do you implement nutrition education in your child care facility? Nutrition education activities planned. Nutrition education offered to the parents. Nutrition promotion through posters, newsletters, flyers, etc…

Physical Activity How much physical activity do the children receive each day? Physical activity is not denied as a form of punishment. Children participate in structured physical activities.

Staff Wellness Staff members receive training on nutrition, physical activity, food safety, and program guidelines. Food options for staff. Wellness opportunities, such as, health screening.

Wellness Policy Evaluation The leader of the Wellness Team designates the responsibility to ensure the facility is in compliance with the guidelines in the wellness plan. Policy language will be assessed every year and revised as needed. Use an evaluation tool to assess your wellness plan.

Ideas for your Wellness Plan

Example of a Child Care Wellness Plan

Resources

Questions? Brittany Dale Indiana Department of Education Wellness Specialist Phone number: Toll Free Phone number: ext.42375