A new program being offered to child-care providers across the state requires centers to be tobacco-free, ensures infants and children have appropriate feeding patterns and mandates a set time of physical activity.
The Gold Sneaker Initiative, developed initially by the Tennessee Department of Health, is being funded by a $769,800 grant from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will be administered across the state by the United Way of Greater Chattanooga.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the state to say children’s health is very, very important, to recognize that healthy lifestyles start early,” said Linda McReynolds, senior vice president of community impact for the local United Way.
“The sooner we can understand [the challenges of childhood health], the better chances we have of preventing problems that can hurt later,” she said. “And child-care providers are the most logical place to start.”
Johanne Albright, director of Little Miss Mag Child Care Center in Chattanooga, said she sometimes has questions about government guidelines but believes the Gold Sneaker program will be good for her center.
“I know it’s good not only for the kids but for all of us,” she said. “There’s more and more emphasis on healthy lifestyles [and] more and more parents aware of the importance of healthy lifestyles for young children.”
Participation by child-care providers is not mandatory, but McReynolds said she hopes more than 50 percent of the state’s 4,000 centers will take part by 2012. In fact, she said, there are incentives for them to do so.
About $400,000 of the grant has been earmarked for $200-plus packages for centers that complete the Gold Sneaker certification process, she said. The packages, she said, will include items such as books, portion plates, balls and jump ropes.
The local United Way has subcontracted with the YMCA of Greater Chattanooga to market the program, coordinate the training and implement the policies.
Lana Green, who has both educational training and professional experience in early childhood education, was hired by the YMCA to be the coordinator of the program.
Green said a reduction in childhood obesity and diabetes are among the many possible end results.
“It has the opportunity to make a real difference,” she said.
The wide range of child-care centers across the state will mean the program guidelines will be easy for some and difficult for others, McReynolds said.
“For those already conscientious about quality,” she said, “you’ll find it’s a matter of tweaking here and there. For some providers, it’ll be a long stretch, like for some of the family home day-care providers.”
Those involved with the program say the healthy policies also should rub off on parents. Part of the education component, McReynolds said, “is helping parents understand why [the centers are] doing these things so they will do these things at home.”
Contact Clint Cooper at cooper@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6497.