Healthy Kids, Healthy Future is a national initiative led by Nemours Children’s Health that aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity in child care settings. They collaborate with national and state organizations to implement best practices in early care and education (ECE) programs. By developing and sharing resources, Healthy Kids, Healthy Future empowers ECE professionals to create healthier environments for young children.

This initiative builds upon the momentum of Let’s Move! Child Care, which was launched in 2011 as part of Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign to combat childhood obesity. Healthy Kids, Healthy Future supports ECE organizations and professionals in making positive health changes in their child care programs. They provide training, technical assistance, and opportunities for collaboration to enhance healthy eating, physical activity, and other wellness practices.

The initiative promotes five main goals for ECE programs: nurturing healthy eaters, providing healthy beverages, getting kids moving, reducing screen time, and supporting breastfeeding. These goals apply to all types of ECE programs, including family child care homes, centers, Early Head Start and Head Start programs, pre-K, preschool, tribal child care programs, and faith-based programs. Healthy Kids, Healthy Future is led by Nemours Children’s Health, one of the largest integrated pediatric health systems in the country.

Their mission is to promote the overall well-being of children by focusing on various factors that contribute to good health, such as education, food, housing, family stability, and emotional well-being. The Healthy Kids, Healthy Future initiative is managed by the Nemours National Office of Policy and Prevention, which works with stakeholders nationwide to advance clinical care and community-based prevention efforts. As a trusted resource and advocate for children, Nemours strives to bring about positive changes in children's health at a national level.

For more information about Healthy Kids, Healthy Future and their valuable resources, visit their website at www. healthykidshealthyfuture. org