The PA NAPSACC

Early Learning programs in Pennsylvania are supported and encouraged to engage in a continuous cycle of quality improvement focused on improved outcomes for children and families through the PA NAPSACC Mini-grant Project.  Along with technical assistance and professional development, Pennsylvania provides many supports and resources for programs that are linked together under the CQI framework. The PA NAPSACC is an excellent CQI tool that can support your program as you work to improve your nutrition and physical activity practice and policy. STAR 2, 3, and 4 programs that successfully participate in the PA NAPSACC are eligible to earn Keystone STARS bonus points. You can learn more about documentation and details for these bonus points.

Since 2012, over 500 early learning programs have participated in the PA NAPSACC and experienced significant outcomes. Beginning in 2019, all Pennsylvania programs and individuals will have access North Carolina's Go NAPSACC online tool.

Academy for Visual Arts brings participating program decal into reality!
Miss Jess, Owner/Operator of Academy for Visual Arts in Northampton County, PA, reached out with a creative suggestion for a decal/window cling that would recognize NAPSACC participating programs and honor the excellent work they engage in around nutrition and physical activity practices and policies.  Combining the awesome idea from Miss Jess with the design and product development of Go NAPSACC led to one pretty cool outcome!  Above, you can see Miss Jess and her student, Lucy, as they apply the newly printed decal to their program door. 

​"The NAPSACC self-assessment results inspired me to make my center more appealing to parents, students, and staff both presently enrolled and those who inquire to be a part of our creative community," Miss Jess shared.  "The assessment showed me the areas where I did well and the areas where I can improve.  In any business it is important to always be prepared to make changes.  As we undergo such drastic changes in our world, the young minds we are nurturing will need to be healthy and happy to succeed.   The NAPSACC program is a sure way to ensure their happiness and success.  The NAPSACC assessment not only showed me our centers imperfections but allowed me to dive deep and think about more impactful ways to make my center better than ever!"
YWCA was also recognized in 2018 by PA NAPSACC for adapting their nutrition and fitness program, YW CHAMPS, so that all classrooms had the opportunity to participate and access to the resources and experiences. Written policies were expanded to ensure that each child in every classroom received equivalent nutrition and fitness education and enrichment.

YWCA Tri-County Area Early Education Center Awarded Gold Level as
Pennsylvania’s Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion

YWCA Tri-County Area Early Education Center was awarded the Gold level as a Pennsylvania’s Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion. More than 50 submissions were received as part of the 2022 recognition of the work being done around equity in early childhood education programs across the state.

The award, issued by the state’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning, recognizes the equity work being done within Pennsylvania’s early childhood education and after-school settings.

“We are thrilled to be selected as a 2022 Pennsylvania’s Equity in Early Education Champion Award,” said Kathleen Seeley, Senior Early Education Director. “Our mission is to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Our community, like so many across the country, has been impacted by poverty, violence, homelessness, social injustice, and food insecurity. Children and families, struggling with the concerns related to these environmental inequities, need non-judgmental, loving adults surrounding them with love and respect.”

Access full press release here.
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Used coffee grounds available to customers for use in their gardens at a coffee shop in Lancaster, PA.
Get the Scoop on Gardening from your Pennsylvania Neighbors!

There is more than one way to grow a garden! Take a look at these  amazing examples from child care programs across the state!

Go NAPSACC Supports Outdoor/Nature-based Play, Farm to ECE and more

Did you know that Go NAPSACC offers self-assessments, pre-made action plans, and resources related to Outdoor Play and Learning as well as Farm to ECE? Request Go NAPSACC access today to learn more! Here is just one example of the many resources available to you in Go NAPSACC:

Starting a Preschool Garden - A Menu of Options
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​For more creative strategies, be sure to visit our References and Resources for Expanding Nature-Based Learning page!
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Check out Grow Pittsburgh! Growing food is a key factor in building and supporting healthy and equitable communities in Pittsburgh. Grow Pittsburgh is a 501c3 charitable nonprofit that serves as a resource and guide for backyard, school and community gardeners, as well as urban farmers across the Greater Pittsburgh region.  Our mission is to teach people how to grow food and to promote the benefits that gardens bring to our neighborhoods.  
Integrating Pennsylvania Harvest of the Month into Early Childhood Education
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Lindsey Brown, Owner/Director of Brown's Family Childcare LLC, a group child care in Venango County, has a passion for children's health and nutrition.  As an active participant in the Child and Adult Care Food Program for over 8 years, Lindsey eagerly volunteered to pilot the use of Harvest of the Month resources in her childcare.  Her creative use of integrating the materials into other learning areas and incorporating supportive resources resulted in healthy fun for the children in her care. Lindsey tells her story through video and encourages others to give these resources a try!
Staying Connected with Children and Families during COVID-19

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Utilizing creativity and innovation, The Caring Center staff in Philadelphia found ways to connect and support families during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fall of 2020, staff from The Caring Center participated in a focus group to reflect on ways in which the COVID-19 crisis affected the obesity prevention goals set by their program prior to the pandemic. The program quickly adapted to provide virtual delivery of children’s educational programming and family outreach during the state-wide shut down. The photo on the left shows Miss Marisol leading a fun, virtual movement activity using "Baby Shark."
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Miss Raina leads Mindful Moments virtually during the quarantine.
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Miss Erica leads a cooking demonstration for families to engage in from home.
Gardening Together​

​In addition to the adaptations made to support children's learning during the pandemic, The Caring Center expanded their Farm to Early Childhood Education activities to include a unique partnership with KidsGardening.org, DreamWorks Animation, Terren Landscapes and Tiny WPA to install a new edible garden including  three new apple trees. Growing fruits and veggies is a great way to teach kids about healthy eating and nurtures their sense of wonder and curiosity. 

Greenhouse Growing and Urban Farm Partnership​

Take a moment to visit with Rebecca Perry, Farm to School Educator at Today’s Child Learning Centers and Warwick Child Care Center in Delaware and Chester Counties, as she describes the awesome ways their program connects with community to integrate Farm to ECE into their program. Programming was supported with funding from the Pennsylvania Head Start Farm to ECE Capacity grant.
Recipes for Success
Check out the Recipes for Success in nutrition and physical activity cards. The tools, available in English and Spanish, can be downloaded, printed, and shared.

Over 20 previous PA NAPSACC Mini-grant Project participants have invited to share their success stories and innovative practices. You can browse the categories below to find a topic of interest and view videos and narrative descriptions of the practices in action.

Nutrition

Physical Activity

Curriculum & Education

Policy &
Consultation