Early Childhood Development

Child Nutrition

     Healthy eating enhances a young child's ability to learn and enriches their quality of life. Head Start has always and continues to promote proper nutrition, as nutrition is one of the founding principles of Head Start.

The following services are offered to enrolled children and their parents:

• Staff work with parents to identify their child’s nutritional needs, possible eating difficulties or food allergies. This discussion is guided by completing a "Nutrition Interview Questionnaire" with each family early in the year.


• Children attending a center-based program or on-site socialization receive nutritious meals and/or snacks through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).


• Head Start provides family-style meals for children. Adults sit with children and engage in conversation. Children are taught appropriate mealtime behavior and are assisted in serving themselves.


• Cultural preferences and the nutritional value of foods served are considered when menu planning. A Registered Dietician periodically reviews menus.


• Head Start works closely with the State's nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to ensure children receive healthy food and family members are educated in the principles of good nutrition.


• The Program follows USDA guidelines for food safety and sanitation practices.


• Early Head Start refers all enrolled pregnant women and parents of infants and toddlers to WIC.


• Early Head Start uses the Nutrition Education Aimed at Toddlers curriculum for discussion with parents about early nutrition, mealtime experiences and child health.

Introduction | Child Health & Development | Early Childhood Education
Child Health and Safety | Child Nutrition | Child Mental Health
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