Nutrition & Physical Activity

Snohomish County Health Department’s Child Care Health Outreach Program resources help child care providers promote healthy eating and active play in child care and early learning programs. Health is critical to building school readiness and the child care nutrition consultant is prepared to assist and support child care providers through consultations, training and online resources addressing various nutrition and physical activity related topics including:

  • Menu planning based on the recently changed Food and Nutrition rules (WAC 110-300-0180)
  • Infant feeding
  • Toothbrushing
  • Healthy mealtime practices
  • Physical activity/active play
  • Managing screen time

Additional Information

Please contact our Child Care Nutrition Consultant for more information on any of these topics or to arrange an on-site visit.

Menu Planning

  1. Child Meal Pattern,1-12 years
  2. Infant Meal Pattern, 0-12 months
  3. Food Group Reference Guide (CACFP)
  4. Menu Planning Template, 2019
  5. Mix and Match Breakfast Combinations, 2019
  6. Mix and Match Snack Combinations, 2019
  7. Sample Menu, 2019
  8. Grain Based Desserts, 1218_001 USDA
  9. Recipes from Menu Planning Class (PDF)
  10. Nutrition and Lead Poisoning Prevention Fact Sheet

Infant / Toddler Feeding

  1. Breastfeeding Support Brochure (PDF)
  2. Infant Feeding Cues (PDF)
  3. Choking Prevention

Toothbrushing

  1. SHD Toothbrushing Guidance Posters
  2. Model Toothbrushing Policy (2019)

Healthy Mealtime Practices

  1. Creating Healthy Mealtimes Brochure (PDF)
  2. Safe and Healthy Mealtime Practices (PDF)

Food from Home

  1. Pack a Sack - Preschool
  2. Pack a Sack - Toddler

Physical Activity

  1. Active Learning Cards - English (PDF)
  2. Active Learning Cards - Spanish (PDF)
  3. Active Learning Lessons for Child Care and Early Learning (PDF)
  4. Outdoor Play Policy Parent Letter (PDF)
  5. Physical Activity Checklist for Providers and Parents (PDF)
  6. Physical Activity Checklist for Providers and Parents (Spanish) (PDF)
  7. Playground Maintenance Form (PDF)
  8. Winter Play Safety (PDF)
  9. Physical Activity Guidelines for Child Care and School Age Care Programs June 2020

Screen Time Management

  1. Screen Time Parent Handout (PDF)
  2. Screen Time Policy Template (DOC)
  3. Screen Time Tracking for Providers and Parents (PDF)

Gardening with children

  1. WSU Garden Activity Resources (PDF)
  2. WSU ECE Garden Activities (PDF)
  3. Gardening with Children - Social Distancing (PDF)