2025 Head Start

Do you find it challenging to engage children when educating them on what they’re eating and why it’s important? Hands-on activities enhance engagement in nutritional literacy while encouraging learning and providing a positive outlook on healthy foods that can last a lifetime. Get examples of activities and brainstorm new ones for implementation with Head Start in mind.

Developing a clear understanding of how to align CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) objectives with broader Head Start goals, such as school readiness, family well-being, and child development is important. Learn how you can identify and implement strategies that integrate nutrition services with Head Start’s comprehensive approach to early childhood education in mind.

Family Style dining is a powerful learning experience for young children. Mealtimes are a great opportunity to incorporate motor skill development as well as math and science building blocks into daily routines. For Head Start, this practice also meets performance standards to support development and learning, socialization, and foster communication.

April 14-18, 2025 Dallas, Texas CACFP · Afterschool Meals · Summer Food Head Start Track | CEU Specialty Coming Soon | Beginner Family Style Mealtime: Developing Language & Social Skills Learn how to implement a Garden to Early Childhood program model in your curriculum. Hear about suggested best practices, fundamentals of teaching gardening to young…

Review requirements for conducting a monitoring review and get guidance specifically for sponsors. Bring your questions and we’ll find solutions for areas you struggle with when completing a review of sites.

Discover how to create nutritious cycle menus tailored for Head Start programs, while adhering to CACFP guidelines. Get strategies for planning diverse, well-rounded meals that meet program standards. Learn how to balance nutritional needs with appealing, kid-friendly options to support growth and development.

We will focus on the performance standards that govern child nutrition and how they align with the CACFP to provide good nutrition to children in Head Start. Also, learn what is new in the HS performance standards concerning child nutrition.

Early Head Start centers offer staff a unique opportunity to provide healthy meals and snacks through the CACFP and introduce children to nutritional concepts and habits benefiting both child and family. Learn how a dietitian and an educator collaborated to incorporate additional nutritional information into daily routines, aiming to have a lasting impact on the children and families they serve.