scholarly journals Using Learning Communities to Support Cantonese/Mandarin Family Child Care Providers in a Professional Development Intervention Program

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
Yafen Lo ◽  
Shu-Chen Yen ◽  
Shinchieh Duh
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Child Care ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Family Child Care ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Development Intervention

High-impact educational practices can promote student involvement and learning outcomes, but are rarely tested in the community college setting—where involvement is a typical challenge to student success. For Family Child Care (FCC) providers, who tend to be older and overworked, higher-education training can be especially difficult. The present study examined the use of learning communities as a high-impact practice in Project Vista Higher Education Academy (PVHEA), a two-year professional development intervention program for Cantonese/Mandarin FCC providers at the East Los Angeles College in California. Quantitative and qualitative data during the inaugural term (January 2012-December 2013) indicated that PVHEA successfully helped FCC providers access and complete college coursework towards Child Development degrees and credentials. Course completion rate reached 100%, and the providers gradually increased course load while maintaining above-average grades. Positive changes were also observed in self-efficacy, aspirations, and professional image. The associated program challenges were discussed.

scholarly journals Creating healthy food environments in family childcare settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Kunkel ◽  
M Schroeder ◽  
R Jones ◽  
D Anderson ◽  
K Lien
Keyword(s):  
Child Care ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Family Child Care ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Child Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Federal Food ◽  
Family Child Care Providers

Abstract Background Considering nearly two-thirds of preschool children in the United States are in some form of child care, child care settings are an opportunity to improve the food environments and reduce the risk of obesity in young children. University of Minnesota Extension developed a culinary nutrition education training for family child care providers. This is relevant for other countries whose child care system includes caring for children in home or center settings that prepare food for children. Objectives Start Strong: Cooking, Feeding and More (SS), consists of four two-hour culinary nutrition education sessions for family providers. The overall goals of SS are to 1) increase providers' knowledge and skills to procure and prepare healthy foods for children and 2) increase providers' knowledge and understanding of Federal food assistance programs to share the information with food-insecure families. Each session includes a cooking skill, nutrition topic, and food assistance program. Results Twelve rural participants who self-identified as female, non-Hispanic White participated in the SS sessions and completed pre, post, and three-month follow-up surveys, to assess the impact of the program on providers' knowledge, confidence, and practice. Based on the paired samples t-tests between pre-to-post and pre-to-follow-up surveys, there were statistically significant increases in providers' confidence in preparing whole grains, using beans and low-cost protein sources, and cooking techniques to reduce. The increase in confidence using cooking techniques to reduce salt was still statistically significant three months after the training. The providers' awareness of Federal food programs between pre-post increased and three months later increased. Conclusions SS increased family child care providers' skills and confidence to prepare healthy foods for children in their care. This increases the likelihood children will make healthy choices now and in the future. Key messages Start Strong is a culinary nutrition education training for family child care providers. Start Strong improves providers’ knowledge and skills to prepare healthy foods for children in their care.

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