Let's Move Child Care!

You may be aware of the Let's Move program that First Lady Michelle Obama started back in February of 2010. The program was started to help combat childhood obesity.  Well, on June 8 Mrs. Obama unveiled a program that will provide some information for child care providers!  The Let’s Move! Child Care effort will work with child care providers to help children get off to a healthy start. The First Lady released a checklist that providers and parents can use as a tool to encourage healthy eating and physical activity and limit screen time for young children.


“Everyone is going to see that these small changes can make a big difference. If our kids get into the habit of getting up and playing, if their palates warm up to veggies at an early age, and if they’re not glued to a TV screen all day, they’re on their way to healthy habits for life,” Mrs. Obama said. “That’s why I’m so excited about Let’s Move! Child Care – because I know that childcare facilities and home-based providers can be a real building block for an entire generation of healthy kids."

To read more about this program, visit the Let's Move website. 

Here is a summary of the checklist.  Do you do the following in your child care home?

• Physical Activity: Provide 1-2 hours of physical activity throughout the day, including outside play when possible.


• Screen Time: No screen time for children under 2 years. For children age 2 and older, strive to limit screen time to no more than 30 minutes per week during child care, and work with parents and caregivers to ensure children have no more than 1-2 hours of quality screen time per day, the amount recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Food: Serve fruits or vegetables at every meal, eat meals family-style when possible, and no fried foods.

• Beverages: Provide access to water during meals and throughout the day, and do not serve sugary drinks. For children age two and older, serve low-fat (1%) or non-fat milk, and no more than one 4-6 ounce serving of 100% juice per day.

• Infant feeding: For mothers who want to continue breastfeeding, provide their milk to their infants and welcome them to breastfeed during the child care day; and support all new parents in their decisions about infant feeding.


You can also find some free tools and resources at HealthyKidsHealthyFuture.org.