The Impact of a Statewide Training To Increase Child Care Providers' Knowledge of Nutrition and Physical Activity Rules in Delaware

Abstract

Broad-scale, in-person training can effectively increase child care providers' knowledge of the regulations and is well received by this audience. Other states and jurisdictions seeking to improve nutrition, physical activity, and screen-viewing practices in child care settings should consider this model of quality improvement.

Online child care training in the United States: a preliminary investigation of who participates, what is offered, and on which topics the workforce is focusing

“…Single classes may be adequate for improving teachers' ability to appropriately engage in stand-alone activities to be performed in a standardized way across all settings. Such activities include reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, implementing nutrition best practices, or meeting specific licensing regulations (Byington et al 2011;Kakietek et al 2014;Moon and Oden 2003;Moon et al 2008;Van Stan et al 2013). This research base also suggests the sequence of training received on these topics may not be an issue.…”

“…At the time of the study, the online training provider investigated here mainly offered an array of 1-to 2-h, beginner-level courses and in response to the state policy emphasis on completion of hourly quantities of training related to specific topics. And, many of the stand-alone or introductory topics addressed through these courses mirrored the research base on the potential effectiveness of short, single trainings (Byington et al 2011;Kakietek et al 2014;Moon and Oden 2003;Moon et al 2008;Van Stan et al 2013). Therefore, while there are limitations to this study (and discussed in more detail below), these results suggest that online training has the potential to provide widespread access to relatively short trainings related to structural quality subjects or as an introduction to a variety of more process quality-oriented topics.…”

Family Child Care Providers’ Compliance With State Physical Activity Regulations, Delaware Child Care Provider Survey, 2011

“…One state that has implemented comprehensive child care regulations is Delaware. The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) has regulated changes within the child care environment in the areas of physical activity that include mandated time for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for children for 20 minutes for every 3 hours they are in care, including opportunities for both structured and unstructured physical activity (Box) (13). Unstructured physical activity refers to child-led free play and includes activities that encourage children’s individual abilities and interests and allows them to explore their environment, while structured physical activity is adult-led and includes daily planned activity that supports age-appropriate motor skill development.…”

Concerns in measurement of healthy eating and physical activity standards implementation

“…Our evaluation generated a substantial amount of quantitative and qualitative data that we correlated to understand the extent to which program sites were implementing the HEPA standards. new directions for youth development • doi: 10.1002.yd…”

“…To do so, we created the CEO Declaration of Intent, a brief online survey instrument designed to allow Y CEOs to pledge to Y-USA to meet the HEPA standards and PHA commitment. After CEOs signed the pledge, we asked them for contact new directions for youth development • doi: 10.1002.yd information for an afterschool program administrator who could be contacted for data collection.…”