Early Care & Education (ECE)

Most children spend time in childcare outside of their homes. Approximately 60 percent of preschool-aged children participate in a non-parental care arrangement at least once a week. High-quality early care and education (ECE) programs can positively impact a child’s health and well-being, including helping to prevent childhood obesity. States and communities can implement policies and activities that promote healthy growth in ECE settings.

Strategy Components

Led by CCBH Youth Health and Wellness Team

The ECE Strategy aims to:

Increase local-level ECE policies and activities that improve whole child wellness, including nutrition and physical activity, through the Early Ages Healthy Stages (EAHS) coalition. This will be achieved by recruiting ECEs and helping them achieve the Ohio Healthy Programs designation, a statewide recognition that focuses on creating healthy eating and activity environments for children. This work will be supported by CCBH and the development of the EAHS Steering Committee, a diverse body of community leaders dedicated to advancing childhood health in ECE environments.
Increasing local-level ECE policies and activities that advance Farm to Early Care and Education (F2ECE). This will be achieved by collaborating with Feed Our Future (FOF), which supports the F2ECE initiative by providing resources and partnerships that help programs introduce young children to fresh, healthy, and local foods. In collaboration with Early Ages Healthy Stages, Feed Our Future offers materials such as Harvest of the Month posters, flashcards, and coloring, tracing, and matching activity sheets. Additionally, it will advance activities such as indoor gardening by creating a Growing in the Classroom Guide.

ECE Partners and Programs

Early Ages Healthy Stages

Early Ages Healthy Stages (EAHS) is committed to providing early childhood educators, parents, and other caregivers with tools to promote children’s well-being. EAHS aims to attract ECE partners across Cuyahoga County to ensure children have a healthy start in life. Sign up for the EAHS newsletter to stay connected.

Ohio Healthy Programs

Early care and education programs that have chosen to go above and beyond licensing requirements for health are designated Ohio Healthy Programs (OHP). With the help of OHP, ECE providers can promote families’ lifelong healthy habits through proper nutrition, physical activity, and education.

Feed Our Future

Feed Our Future (FOF) connects schools, homes, and communities by providing practical information about sourcing, eating, and promoting local foods that nourish young students. Parents can support FOF by staying informed, supporting educators, and encouraging kids by serving as role models. Parents can also help establish a farm-to-school program or a school garden project.

Talk to your child’s school staff about establishing a farm-to-school program or planning a school garden. Visit the FOF Resources for guidance on supporting the farm-to-school movement.