| | NCO HEAD START Child Development Program

NCO Head Start Child Development Program promotes high standards of nutrition in all aspects of the program. Good nutrition is seen as a vital link to learning and overall health. Menus planned in the centers focus on fresh seasonal foods and offer enough variety to allow opportunities for children to be exposed to new foods in different ways. Meals are served family style and children are allowed to choose the foods they eat. Staff and volunteers model politeness and provide a pleasant relaxing atmosphere, allowing children opportunities for socialization and an accepting environment for developing healthy attitudes about food.

Information on nutrition is readily available and given to families in a variety of ways as the need is determined. Monthly menus are sent home to inform parents of meals served and provide a model for healthy menu planning. Colorful nutrition information is displayed in parent rooms reflecting the meals served and any current relevant topics that promote healthy eating. A "healthy food policy" created by the Program Policy Council supports the inclusion of healthy foods in centers, home base activities and parent functions.