Experiences pertaining to child nutrition and care provision among early care and education stakeholders, sponsors, and center directors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-method study

Abstract

PurposeThis study used multiple methods (interviews, survey) to assess experiences of stakeholders, sponsors, and center-based early care and education (ECE) program directors pertaining to child nutrition (e.g., provision of nutritious foods, mealtime practices, CACFP administration/use) and the provision of child-care (i.e., day-to-day ECE operations and programming) during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsParticipants included stakeholders from 22 national and state agencies associated with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) who also work to promote nutrition and quality child-care, representatives of 17 CACFP sponsor organizations, and 40 center-based ECE program directors who participated in interviews, as well as 100 ECE directors who completed surveys. Data were collected across four states. Thematic analyses of interviews and descriptive methods were used to analyze data collected.ResultsSix main themes emerged from stakeholders, sponsors, and ECE program directors' focusing on: experiences during the temporary closure of several ECE programs; additional responsibilities and unanticipated expenses for ECE programs; difficulty in keeping up with constantly changing COVID-19 guidance; encounters during shifts from in-person to virtual training and monitoring; changes to nutrition practices at ECE; and the need to prioritize ECE funding.ConclusionsFindings highlight challenges and supports to ECE programs and could inform future efforts to enhance child-care quality and child nutrition in the U.S. during pandemic situations.

Change in Nutrition and Physical Activity Practices in Early Childcare and Education Settings in Illinois During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In a study of ECE stakeholders, sponsors, and center directors, about one-third of respondents noted difficulty in finding healthy foods to purchase, 41% stopped serving family-style meals, and 20% served frozen or canned fruits and vegetables more than normal. 5 A 2021 qualitative study reported a general decline in the nutritional quality of foods served at childcare programs nationwide. 29 These findings align with our findings that nutritional BPs related to the quality of food served declined during the pandemic among Illinois ECE providers.…”

“…While there have been studies of the impact of the pandemic on ECE enrollment challenges,5,25-28 program costs and responsibilities,5,25 supply chain issues,25,27 and challenges with virtual adaptations for operating a childcare facility,5,28 few studies have addressed changes in nutrition and PA-related BPs for ECE programs during the pandemic. In a study of ECE stakeholders, sponsors, and center directors, about one-third of respondents noted difficulty in finding healthy foods to purchase, 41% stopped serving family-style meals, and 20% served frozen or canned fruits and vegetables more than normal 5. A 2021 qualitative study reported a general decline in the nutritional quality of foods served at childcare programs nationwide 29.…”

“…Prior research noted changes in nutrition and PA-related practices in childcare facilities during the pandemic 5,6. Childcare providers also found it difficult to keep up with constant changes to guidelines and recommendations 5. This is likely to have exacerbated existing disparities in access to high-quality childcare by low-income and minoritized populations that were also disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 1,2,7-9…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic intensified early childcare and education (ECE) providers’ struggles to provide quality childcare, including meeting nutrition standards and physical activity (PA)-related best practices 1-4. Prior research noted changes in nutrition and PA-related practices in childcare facilities during the pandemic 5,6. Childcare providers also found it difficult to keep up with constant changes to guidelines and recommendations 5.…”

“…5 , 6 Childcare providers also found it difficult to keep up with constant changes to guidelines and recommendations. 5 This is likely to have exacerbated existing disparities in access to high-quality childcare by low-income and minoritized populations that were also disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. 1 , 2 , 7-9 Early childcare and education programs are regulated at both the federal and state levels, both of which issued numerous changes to ECE licensing and standards during the pandemic.…”