“It Has a Lot to Do With the Cumbersome Paperwork”: Barriers and Facilitators of Center-Based Early Care and Education Program Participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program

Federal Nutrition Assistance for Young Children: Underutilized and Unequally Accessed

“…Although some research has explored participation barriers, more is needed. 36 – 39 One study found lack of awareness as a key barrier, with more than half of the non-CACFP centers in 1 state did not even know that CACFP existed. 14 Others have found the application process and compliance can be costly and hard to navigate, the administrative paperwork is burdensome, and providers are concerned about insufficient meal reimbursements.…”

“… 14 Others have found the application process and compliance can be costly and hard to navigate, the administrative paperwork is burdensome, and providers are concerned about insufficient meal reimbursements. 10 , 36 – 39 There is also little understanding of barriers to serving meals in child care centers, including the availability of food service companies that provide CACFP-compliant meals at affordable rates, limited staffing, equipment and kitchen facilities, local health and state regulations, and interest in center-provided food among parents.…”

“…Sponsoring agencies provide important technical assistance and training, including access to software, development of qualifying menus, documentation maintenance, and access to qualifying food, which could greatly reduce the burden of program participation. 38 , 39 Despite the sponsors’ critical role in supporting CACFP, particularly for small centers, several states do not have any sponsoring agencies for unaffiliated centers or have only 1 sponsor. 25…”

Understanding Socioculturalism in Early Childhood Education: Current Perspectives and Emerging Trends

“…This involves balancing individual learning needs with collective goals, recognizing students' strengths, and promoting collaboration (Vygotsky, 1978). Challenges like limited resources and institutional barriers require educators to advocate for equitable access and establish community partnerships (Jana et al, 2023;Prusinski et al, 2023;Varela et al, 2023). Building trusting relationships with families and communities, involving them in decision-making, and forming strong partnerships are essential for creating cohesive learning communities that support children's holistic development (Gaias et al, 2022;Jana et al, 2023;Prusinski et al, 2023;Varela et al, 2023;Vygotsky, 1978).…”

“…Many early childhood settings, particularly those serving marginalized communities, face limited resources, funding constraints, and institutional barriers that may impede the implementation of sociocultural approaches (Jana et al, 2023;Prusinski et al, 2023;Varela et al, 2023). These challenges exacerbate existing disparities and hinder the implementation of sociocultural approaches essential for fostering equitable learning experiences.…”