Study shows training, coaching help child care providers get children off to healthy start

Family child care providers and small independent child care centers have been shown to be more likely to offer vegetables, increase physical activity and support breastfeeding after training and coaching through Minnesota'sStatewide Health Improvement Partnership.

SHIP grantees around the state worked with 768 child care providers between 2013 and 2015, and found through a recent study that those providers who received training and coaching were significantly more likely to adopt policies and practices that help protect against childhood obesity.

Among the study findings:

Providers offering vegetables to children at least twice per day increased from 40 percent to 53 percent.Providers providing toddlers with at least 90 minutes of active play time daily increased from 57 percent to 78 percent.Providers meeting at least six recommended practices for breastmilk storage, labeling and handling increased from 68 percent to 93 percent.

In addition, the study found that there were significant increases in the proportion of providers who had written policies that reflected current practice on healthy eating, physical activity and breastfeeding. Written policies are important to promote sustainability and accountability for practice changes.