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North Carolina’s New ECE Nutrition and Physical Activity Standards

Congratulations, North Carolina! 

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North CarolinaThe Tar Heel State has adopted nutrition, physical activity, and screen time standards for both center and home-based Early Care and Education (ECE) providers!

The goals of the standards are to promote overall health and well-being by focusing on emotional and social development, health and physical development, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development.

Physical activity requirements include a scheduled activity plan, including minimum daily outdoor activity time, and minimum active play time over the age of three. Meals and snacks served to children in NC child care centers will comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs from the USDA, which are based on the recommended nutrient intake judged by the National Research Council to be adequate for maintaining good nutrition. If children bring their own food for meals or snacks to centers and the food does not meet nutritional requirements, the childcare center will provide additional food necessary to meet those requirements.

Additionally, there are requirements on beverages that can be served by childcare providers: breast milk, formula, water, unflavored whole milk for children ages 12-23 months, unflavored skim or low-fat milk for children 24 months through five years, unflavored skim milk or unflavored low-fat for children six years and older, or 100 percent fruit juice, limited to 6 ounces per day, for all ages.

Read the full standards here.

Congratulations to the AHA Mid-Atlantic Affiliate, North Carolina Alliance for Health, State Alliance of YMCAs, Be Active Kids, and all advocates working to make each day healthier for all children!

Join the Early Care and Education Action Team today!