Child Care

Physical Activity Guidelines for Children from Birth to Age 5

The National Association  for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) states all children from birth to age 5 should engage daily in physical activity that promotes movement skillfulness and foundations of health-related fitness. Several new resources have been developed to assist parents and caregivers with practical information on how to assist kids meet this standard.  Learn more  

Food Safety for Child Care Providers

Food Safety for Family Day Care Providers is an online course developed in Massachusetts specially designed for child care providers to help increase their knowledge of foodborne illness and ways to prevent it. This course provides important food safety information needed to improve food handling practices in order to safely feed and care for young children in day care settings.  The next course starts April 28. 

Fit From the Start Initiative

The South Dakota Department of Health and other partners have developed the Fit from the Start (FFS) Initiative to improve nutrition and physical activity practice, policy and environment in child care facilities throughout South Dakota. It is a piloted and evaluated child care intervention which is available free to participating child care providers. The initiative aims to reduce childhood obesity and children’s risk for developing obesity by encouraging a healthy child care environment through targeting child care providers. The initiative is designed to provide low-cost, no cost strategies and resources to child care providers to promote physical activity and healthy eating in children 2-5 years of age in their care. The Fit from the Start Initiative also seeks to educate child care providers about the importance of healthy living to support positive role modeling and their individual wellness. For more information, click here.

Classes for child care providers are currently being held. Check with your local Early Childhood Enrichment Center for one in your area.

SD Physical Activity and Healthy Snack Cards

SD Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy and Best Practices