Wellness Policy

The children who participate in the Ann Storck Center Preschool Day Program have special health care needs such as gastrostomy tubes, tracheotomies, pacemakers or other cardiac involvements, seizures daily, and specialized diets. Most of these children also have developmental delays, ranging from speech delays, Autism, Visual Impairment and Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Profound mental handicaps including Down Syndrome, Microcephaly, Macrocephaly, Fragile X Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, and William's Syndrome.

NUTRITION GUIDELINES:
The Preschool program provides enrolled children with breakfast, hot lunch and nutritious snacks. The Center currently qualifies for USDA subsidy and participates in the State of Florida's Food and Nutrition Program. The program meets the nutritional needs of the children ages 3 to 5 years old by following the USDA guidelines set forth by the Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness. In addition, healthy snacks and drinks are included at snack time and during after school programs.

NUTRITION EDUCATION:
Teachers and health care professionals will be responsible for educating children and their families to make positive nutritional choices for their future good health and well being.

Goal l: Nutrition education will be provided to the Preschool Children by Certified Teachers in the classroom setting by incorporating good food choices into other activities.

Preschoolers are curious and eager to learn about the foods served during breakfast, lunch and snack time. Our teachers will take advantage of this curiosity to teach our children the importance of eating a variety of foods, that some foods are healthier than other foods and that all foods are different and come in many shapes and sizes, smells and tastes. One method of teaching our children about different foods and nutrition is to have them actively participate in food experiences. These activities will engage the children and provide exciting and interactive opportunities for learning. Healthy snacks are offered each day to all children, including those requiring a special diet. Teachers are able to offer healthy snack choices daily. Children can choose from a variety of cereals, puddings, cheese and crackers, or fresh fruit for a snack. Children can also choose their favorite juice at snack time on a daily basis.

Goal 2: Nutrition education will be provided to the Teachers and Parents/Families of Preschool Children by the Dietitian.
The Dietitian will play an active role in educating teachers and families and updating them on nutritional choices and healthy eating habits for their children to assure good nutrition for growth and development. By attending Teacher/Parent meetings quarterly, a variety of nutrition subjects will be discussed as well as a question and answer session to assure communication between all caregivers.

Evaluation and Measurement:
Our Certified Teachers use the Physical Fitness and Nutrition Measurement Tool provided by the Children's Services Council to evaluate each child at the beginning and end of the Nutrition Education program.

• 80% of children will maintain or improve their nutrition knowledge
• Outcome to be measured the first week of enrollment and the last week of July, using the CSCprovided measurement tool.
The Ann Storck Center recognizes the importance of physical activities in the Preschool Program.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:

The Ann Storck Center recognizes the importance of physical activities in the Preschool Program.

Goal 1: Physical therapy services, consultation, and special equipment to the children enrolled in the program will be provided according to each child's individual abilities.
Children with special health care needs have additional concerns regarding motor skills as development in these areas may be significantly delayed. In addition, Occupational and Physical therapists on staff consult with classroom staff to provide therapeutically appropriate activities for our special needs children.

Structured physical fitness activities include both individual and group activities based on the child's special needs.

Goal 2: All children are included in a Physical Fitness Curriculum specially designed to assure daily activities for structured and unstructured indoor and outdoor physical activities.
The outdoor Physical Fitness Curriculum includes structured play such as obstacle courses and fitness circuits where children go from one activity to the next after a designated time period.

Opportunities for active movement are provided in the daily schedule during Circle Time, inside and outside playtime, and other fine motor activities. While our children are outside they are able to use equipment in two playgrounds as well as a variety of mobility toys. Water play is also a typical summertime activity regularly scheduled as part of the children's outdoor play activities. These and other activities, with approval from Physical Therapists, are used as part of our Physical Fitness curriculum. All activities are developmentally appropriate to accommodate all skill levels.

Evaluation and Measurement:
Our Certified Teachers use the Physical Fitness and Nutrition Measurement Tool provided by the Children's Services.

80% of children served will improve gross and/or fine motor skills over the school year. Specific fitness activities may vary depending on ther special health needs of the children.

Outcome to be measured the first week of enrollment and the last week of July using Part 1, Domain II (Physical Development) of the Adaptive Behavior Scale - Residential and Community (ABS- S), to be provided by the Council.