Provider Day
Saturday, May 16, 2026 on Zoom
In celebration of Provider Appreciation Month and the 40th anniversary of the National CACFP Association, we’re taking a moment to celebrate you: the family child care home providers who make a difference every single day.
Together, we’ll explore easy menu ideas, playful ways to turn everyday meals into opportunities for learning and movement, and helpful resources designed with providers in mind. It’s a chance to connect, feel appreciated and pick up simple ideas you can use right away!
Register for FREE!
Earn up to 2.5 Hours of CEUs
*Registration includes on-demand sessions of live and pre-selected recorded sessions, available through May 31, 2026.*
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Schedule
Saturday, May 16, 2026
All times listed are Eastern
11:00 am - 11:30 am | The Provider Perk Party with Free Resources for Your Program
11:45 am - 12:15 pm | Present, Calm and Connected: Building Mindfulness in Early Childhood
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm | Using Your Menu to Spark Learning & Play
On Demand
Explore New Foods with a Taste Testing Adventure
Meet Our Speakers
Alexia Thex, MEd, President, National CACFP Association
Alexia leads NCA’s advocacy efforts to advance the interests of association members and stakeholders while forming mutually beneficial partnerships to further NCA's mission. Alexia also oversees NCA's nutrition education and events that help support the success of the CACFP. Alexia utilizes her experience in nonprofit management and development, partnerships and health and wellness to build capacity and garner support for the CACFP. Alexia holds a MEd from the University of Texas at Austin.
Tracy Cheney, MEd, Vice President, Dr. Day Care Family & Education Consultant, Three Cheers Consulting
Tracy has over 35 years of experience in early childhood education. For more than 23 years, she has been overseeing the management of a multi-site organization. In her dual role, she supports many levels of early learning professionals with a wide array of topics. She also oversees compliance with state regulatory agencies including DHS, RIDE, BrightStars (QRIS), CACFP and the Department of Health. Tracy holds an MEd, is a member of NAEYC, is also a CDA Specialist and a Conscious Discipline enthusiast.
Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Association
Isabel is bilingual and dedicated to serving the CACFP and SFSP communities through nutrition education, program operations support and promoting access to nutritious foods. She has a strong background in working with low-income communities of various cultures through graduate research projects and when previously employed at a nonprofit food bank for eight years. Isabel has an MS in Nutritional Sciences from Rutgers University and completed her dietetic internship through Aramark.
Programming
Live Sessions - Saturday, May 16
You can watch these webinars live on May 16, or later on-demand through May 31, 2026.
*all times listed are Eastern*
10:30 am - 11:30 am | The Provider Perk Party with Free Resources for Your Program
You show up for children and families every single day, and this session is our chance to show up for you. The Provider Perk Party will be full of celebration and will feature valuable free resources designed to strengthen your program. Enjoy a supportive, appreciation-filled session packed with tools, tips, and giveaways that support your nutrition education.
- Recognize the critical role child care providers play in strengthening the CACFP and supporting the children and families they serve.
- Learn about free resources available to help providers enhance their nutrition education programs, build confidence and support long-term success.
Presented by Alexia Thex, MEd, President, National CACFP Association
CEU: 0.5 | Specialty: 7
11:45 am - 12:15 pm | Present, Calm and Connected: Building Mindfulness in Early Childhood
Discover how a few simple moments of calm can transform your classroom. This training introduces educators to the core principles of mindfulness and how to integrate them into daily classroom routines. Participants will explore practical strategies to help young children develop awareness, attention and emotional regulation through breathing, sensory experiences and guided activities. Educators will learn how mindfulness supports social-emotional development, reduces anxiety and strengthens children’s ability to focus, connect with others and manage their feelings in developmentally appropriate ways.
- Identify the core principles of mindfulness and explain how mindfulness supports young children’s attention, emotional regulation and social-emotional development.
- Demonstrate and implement at least three developmentally appropriate mindfulness strategies (such as breathing, sensory awareness, or visualization) within daily classroom routines including circle time, transitions and learning centers.
Presented by Tracy Cheney, MEd, Dr. Day Care Family | Three Cheers Consulting
CEU: 0.5 | Specialty: 6
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm | Using Your Menu to Spark Learning & Play
Your CACFP menu can be so much more than a compliance document; it can spark learning, creativity and meaningful connections. Discover how a one-week cycle menu can inspire engaging, hands-on experiences that support early learning and child development, all while reinforcing CACFP best practices.
- Analyze a one-week CACFP cycle menu to determine which menu items support early learning opportunities such as nutrition education, math, literacy or sensory exploration.
- Create one developmentally appropriate, low‑cost activity that connects a specific CACFP menu item to an early learning domain or family engagement strategy.
Presented by Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Association
CEU: 0.5 | Specialty: 2
On-Demand Sessions
Explore New Foods with a Taste Testing Adventure
The CACFP fosters a positive eating environment that encourages healthy eating habits. Children will develop their own unique palates based on the foods they are exposed to while in your care, which may affect their food choices later on as adults. Learn how you can introduce new or challenging foods through various taste testing strategies, promote conversations around meals, and discover other food tasting adventure tips!
Presented by: Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Association
CEU: 1.0 | Specialty: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
Watch for email confirmations and event access instructions in early May. Add nca@cacfp.org to your safe email sender list so our communications don't get lost in your spam or junk filters.