It takes a village to raise a child. For many parents, those trusted villagers include the smart, caring teachers working in early childhood education programs (ECE). Now, these childcare centers are being honored for their evidence-based practices in the healthy development of children. REACH Recognition (Recognizing ECEs Advancing Children’s Healthy Habits) is a new, grant-funded initiative that celebrates childcare programs that excel in six key areas: Child Nutrition, Farm to ECE, Oral Health, Physical Activity, Outdoor Play and Learning, and Healthy Screen Time.
“We want to celebrate and amplify the important role that ECEs play in children’s health, because that’s a huge component in their learning and development,” said Ellie Morris, REACH Coordinator. “There’s so much great work going on in North Carolina that is often not visible. With the increased focus on the importance of ECEs, we want to contribute to that by applauding the leaders in children’s health, those centers that are going above and beyond the norm and delivering truly outstanding care.”
WAGES Head Start and Early Head Start of Goldsboro, NC, is the first recipient of REACH Recognition in Oral Health. WAGES demonstrated excellence in daily toothbrushing, oral health professional development, the availability of water as the drink of choice throughout the day, and a written oral health policy. As part of the professional development component, WAGES staff participated in Brushing Is Fun training through the State of North Carolina Oral Health Section, a dynamic hybrid online/in-person training experience that features a step-by-step guide for infant/toddler and preschool classrooms on preparing to brush, brushing, and cleaning up afterward.
“Any time that we have a chance to collaborate and support oral health in the community, it’s a win for everyone,” said Emily Horney, MHA, RDH, Early Childhood Oral Health Coordinator for NC’s Oral Health Section. “It honors those hard-working centers that are striving to improve the oral health of children, which includes implementing our proven, evidence-based toothbrushing program.”
Though new to the ECE scene, REACH Recognition has an impressive origins story. The pilot program was started by Wake County Smart Start, with the guidance and support of the NC Farm to ECE Initiative of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems and Go NAPSACC. Noteworthy partners in the child development arena include NC’s Oral Health Section, NC Partnership for Children, the NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center, NC Child and Adult Care Food Program, NC Division of Child Development and Early Education, the NC Rated License Assessment Project, the NC Division of Public Health, and the Western NC Steering Committee of the NC Oral Health Collaborative.
“The ECE setting is a crucial one and there is great support in the State of North Carolina for the boots-on-the-ground making things happen,” Morris concludes. “We can reach a lot of young children in one place early in their development, which is a golden prevention opportunity and a way to form those lifelong health habits that will support the children’s and our community’s future goals. Showcasing outstanding centers encourages everyone to rise.”
If you work with an ECE program that goes above and beyond for children's health, get recognized! Learn more here.
Contact the State of NC Oral Health Section for the Brushing Is Fun childcare program training class, Emily.Horney@dhhs.nc.gov or call 919-707-5487.
