UPCOMING EVENTS
Who doesn't love playing in the mud? It's time to start planning your event for International Mud Day on June 29th! Invite kids of all ages to have fun, get dirty and be active in your muddy festivities. Click here for some creative ideas.
NEWS and UPDATES
The 2012 National Smart Start Conference was held in Greensboro from April 30th -May 3rd. The conference provided professional development for early education leaders committed to improving the quality of and access to early childhood services for all children. The conference gave participants the opportunity to access the latest research, learn new skills and share lessons learned. As such, it attracted attendees from all facets of early care and education, including government, nonprofit, academic, community, and business leaders.

Smart Start Conference attendees take advantage of free play during lunch!
Check it out! The USDA recently updated the health and nutrition information for preschoolers section on the MyPlate website. Parents can create a personalized daily food plan for their preschoolers, find additional information on physical activity, picky eating, food safety and more...
In addition, the USDA released the SuperTracker’s My Plan to help individuals and families set nutrition and physical activity related goals and track their progress. You can create and save a profile for yourself and your preschooler to receive virtual coaching tips to help you meet your personalized goals.
BE ACTIVE KIDS SHOWCASE
Staff Challenge
Congratulations to the 87 teams that participated in the Spring 2012 Be Active Kids Staff Challenge! The progress and achievement of individuals and teams through this Challenge was truly amazing.
Top Individuals
1st Place: Willie Jean-Green (Beatties Ford Road Network) – Mecklenburg County
2nd Place: Alyssa Ciarimboli (The Enrichment Center) – Durham County
3rd Place: Jo Anna Morsen (Robyn’s Nest Creative Learning Center) – Chatham County
Top Teams
1st Place: Robyn’s Nest Creative Learning Center (Mothers in Motion) – Chatham County
2nd Place: Miss Ms Tot University (Booty Shaka’s) – Onslow County
3rd Place: Friends Playhouse (Lulu Ladies 1) – Guilford County
Top Centers
1st Place: Friends Playhouse – Guilford County
2nd Place: Miss Ms Tot – Onslow County
3rd Place: Spindale Elementary – Rutherford County
Child Care law and rule changes support 60 minutes of daily physical activity & healthier foods. MoreObesity prevention works best in the under 5 crowd. More
Toddlers should receive at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity and 60+ minutes of unstructured physical activity each day.
Preschoolers should receive at least 60 minutes of structured physical activity and 60+ minutes of unstructured physical activity each day.
2010-2011 OUTCOMES:
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5,700 young children committed to being more physically active.
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160 childcare center and 230 childcare providers committed to being more physically active.


