California standards for quality child nutrition programs

Abstract

The period of childhood is a time of rapid growth and development and proper nutrition will assure optimum growth and development both physically and mentally. In the last ten years the number of women working has increased. Currently, it is estimated that 23 million children require child care while their parents are at work. As many as 5.1 million preschool children are enrolled in day care centers and 4 million in family day care homes. Of these at least 1.9 million participate in the Child and Adult Day Care Program. Several nutrition standards have been developed by several agencies including the American Dietetic Association to assure quality nutrition care while children are in day care. More recently, the American Public Health Association and Academy of Pediatrics wrote a comprehensive standard for day care entitled, “Caring For Our Children-National Health and Safety Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs.” A comprehensive nutrition standard was one of the chapters written. The Division of Maternal and Child Health at SDSU obtained funding from the Federal Bureau of MCH to conduct a project entitled, “California Child Care Healthy Standards Project” to compare the national standards with the California standards as written in the current licensing regulations of the Department of Social Services. A nutrition subcommittee was formed composed of representatives from the Department of Education, Day Care Centers, Family Day Care, Department of Social Services, WIC and University Affiliated Project. The committee met for two years to compare the standards, look at the gaps and come up with practical recommendations and how to implement the guidelines. Results showed that the California nutrition standards were minimal or non-existent and outdated and needed to be revised. A comprehensive document was prepared entitled, “California Standards for Quality Nutrition Care” to detailing the recommended guidelines. This document will be disseminated to day care providers and will be the basis for changing the current nutrition regulations for licensing in day care. This project proved that with proper networking and collaboration, standards can be changed, accepted and implemented at the local level.