On May 9 First Lady’s Let’s Move! Child Care initiative recognized Neighborhood House Association (NHA) of San Diego for exceptional work to promote young children’s health and prevent childhood obesity. NHA was recognized at the Let’s Move! Child Care Recognition Luncheon. The Let’s Move! Child Care Recognition Luncheon Washington, DC. featured White House Assistant Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives, Sam Kass who gave the keynote speech highlight NHA’s efforts.

NHA was selected for recognition for carrying out exceptional work to promote and implement the goals of Let’s Move! Child Care, including using creative strategies, engaging families in obesity prevention efforts, and overcoming challenges to get children moving and encourage healthy eating in the early care and education setting. NHA is one of twenty selected for recognition, including early education and child care programs and networks, communities, and states.

“NHA is honored to be recognized by the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, and to contribute in the fight against childhood obesity,” said Rudolph A. Johnson III, President and CEO of NHA. “As a large organization with a passion for preschool nutrition, NHA believes that it has the potential to positively impact others that may want to duplicate our efforts. This recognition solidifies that NHA has become a model for building a healthier future for children and families not just in San Diego, but across the entire nation.”

Let’s Move! Child Care is a nationwide call-to-action to empower early education and child care programs to make positive health changes in children that could last a lifetime. The initiative focuses on five goals:

· 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 care-givers 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 infants.

NHA’s efforts against the prevention of childhood obesity are primarily driven by a cost- effective, groundbreaking preschool menu. The agency implemented a menu overhaul that was spearheaded by a Registered Dietitian and professional chef to provide healthy meals to over 2,000 children daily. The new menu was designed to eliminate processed and pre-packaged foods by including local, fresh, natural, and organic foods. The pioneering nutrition program also partners with Farm to Preschool to teach children and parents about local produce, agriculture and the benefits of eating healthy foods. Bolstered by active parent involvement and a comprehensive educational program, NHA proudly boasts a 96% meal satisfaction rating among children.

“NHA has taken numerous steps to help prevent childhood obesity,” says Johnson. “The statistics are alarming, and as operators of a very large Head Start program, we are keenly aware that we have both a great opportunity and responsibility to impact the future health and habits of our preschoolers and their families. Through our innovative nutrition program, we have embraced the challenge of dispelling the myth that young children will not eat healthy foods.”

Let’s Move! Child Care is supported by public and private partners, including the Office of the First Lady, White House Domestic Policy Council, Administration for Children and Families, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration, Nemours, Child Care Aware of America and University of North Carolina. For more information about Let’s Move! Child Care, please visit: www.healthykidshealthyfuture.org.