Preschools SHINE Program
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Preschools SHINE program is a voluntary, statewide recognition program that showcases the outstanding work of early care and education (ECE) sites (i.e., child care centers and family child care homes) in California that support the health and well-being of young children. The Preschools SHINE program consists of 10 elements that foster healthy habits during the early years of growth and development. Children at Preschools SHINE sites are served healthy meals that comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in an environment that supports optimal wellness practices for healthy growth and development.
A Preschools SHINE site receives recognition for designing a preschool program that makes children’s health and well-being a priority. It is committed to continuous quality improvement to ensure positive child health outcomes. The site will receive a certificate of recognition and its name is posted on this CDSS web page as a recognized leader in health and wellness. Families who view the web page can feel assured that the curriculum, or plan of activities, advocates an active lifestyle and healthy eating behaviors.
The Preschools SHINE program is an approved practice-based obesity prevention intervention listed in the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Toolkit.
Background and History
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States, putting children at risk for poor health. Research shows that overweight and obese preschoolers are at increased risk for becoming overweight or obese as adults, leading to lifelong physical and mental health problems. Childhood obesity occurs for a variety of reasons; however, according to the CDC, topping the list of causes are unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity. Studies indicate that children who are overweight when they enter kindergarten are four times more likely to have obesity in the eighth grade than their peers who are at a normal weight, and that childhood weight status tracks into adulthood.
The scientific report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee cites evidence that using a combination of dietary and physical activity interventions in child care settings is effective for reducing the proportion of preschool children who become overweight or obese. These interventions include providing nutrition education, improving the nutrition quality of meals and snacks, and increasing physical activity.
ECE sites are an ideal setting for obesity prevention efforts. Nationally, about 25% of children aged two to five years are considered obese, which justifies the need for obesity prevention efforts that broadly reach young children. The CDC reported that no other setting (outside of the home) rivals the reach ECE has for young children with respect to food and drink intake and opportunities for encouraging physical activity. Screen time limitations and the development of healthy habits also adds to prevention efforts. Improving the practices and policies of ECE providers can directly affect what children eat and drink and how active they are. The improvements can also help children develop a foundation of healthy habits.
To support efforts to reduce early childhood obesity, the CDSS supports and oversees the Preschools SHINE recognition program.
Eligibility and Award Levels
ECE sites (i.e., child care centers and family day care homes) in California that participate in the CACFP and have at least 50 percent of children aged two to five years old enrolled at an ECE site may submit an Preschools SHINE application for Preschools SHINE recognition for each site that meets the eligibility requirements. The level of Preschools SHINE certification depends on how many elements the ECE site completes.
Preschools SHINE Elements
The Preschools SHINE program consists of 10 elements that foster healthy habits during the early years of growth and development. To be designated a Preschools SHINE site, the ECE site must meet criteria within the Preschools SHINE elements, which reflect current nutrition and physical activity standards designed to result in healthy outcomes for preschoolers.
The ten Preschools SHINE criteria are listed below.
Levels of Certification
The Preschools SHINE program is structured so all ECE sites can achieve a beginning certification level (Bronze) by completing the criteria within six elements: Participation in the CACFP and five elective elements of your choice. Over time, additional improvements made to the ECE site’s wellness environment qualifies the ECE site to reach higher certification levels (Silver and Gold). This tiered approach allows a site to implement more elements gradually to achieve higher levels of certification.
Participation in the CACFP is required to apply for any level of Preschools SHINE certification:
Once this element is met:
- To achieve the Bronze level certification, an ECE site must meet the criteria within five additional elective elements out of the remaining nine elements.
- To achieve the Silver level certification, an ECE site must meet the criteria within seven additional elective elements out of the remaining nine elements.
- For the Gold level certification, an ECE site must meet the criteria for all 10 elements.
Applying
Preschool SHINE Application
Complete and submit an online Preschools SHINE application for the Preschools SHINE recognition.
Please note: The CDSS will review each ECE site’s application and determine whether the ECE site meets the criteria to receive a Preschools SHINE Certificate of Recognition. One application must be submitted for each ECE site. The application review process may take up to 6 weeks. The CDSS will send written notification to applicants to inform them of its decision.
Renewal of Certificate of Recognition
Before the 4-year certification period expires, previously certified Preschools SHINE sites are encouraged to submit a Preschools SHINE application to request renewal of Preschools SHINE certification. The CDSS will review each application and determine whether the ECE site continues to meet the criteria for renewal of Preschools SHINE certification. The CDSS will send written notification to applicants to inform them of its decision.
Recognition
Issuance of Certificate of Recognition
To receive a Preschools SHINE Certificate of Recognition, the ECE site must meet all program elements and criteria within the chosen level of certification: Bronze, Silver, or Gold. Preschools SHINE Certificates of Recognition are effective for four years, as long as the ECE site continues to meet the criteria within the required and elective Preschools SHINE elements.
Responsibilities of a Preschools SHINE Site
When an ECE site has achieved Preschools SHINE certification, it must continue to demonstrate the high standards set forth in the Preschools SHINE program.
To maintain Preschools SHINE certification, the ECE site must fulfill the following conditions:
- Continue to meet the Preschools SHINE Elements and Criteria.
- Maintain the Leadership Team.
- Serve as a touring agency and allow local, state, and national visitors and dignitaries to visit the ECE site upon request.
Renewal of Certificate of Recognition
Before the 4-year certification period expires, previously certified Preschools SHINE sites are encouraged to submit a Preschools SHINE application to request renewal of Preschools SHINE certification. The CDSS will review each application and determine whether the ECE site continues to meet the criteria for renewal of Preschools SHINE certification. The CDSS will send written notification to applicants to inform them of its decision.
Trainings
Live Trainings
Online Courses
Additional Online Training Databases
Live Trainings
The following live trainings are approved to credit toward the 15 hours of professional development to meet the criteria in Preschools SHINE Element 7, Professional Development.
Nutrition and Physical Activity Forums
The Nutrition and Physical Activity (NPA) Forums highlight and demonstrate methods for integrating nutrition education, edible gardens, wellness policies, and physical activity into child care center classrooms and family child care homes. Participants will learn ways to create learning environments that maximize opportunities for children to develop healthy eating habits and to move their bodies to learn. These forums provide a unique platform where early childhood educators can express challenges and develop solutions toward supporting active living and healthy eating environments.
Participants will receive 6.0 hours (virtual training) or 7.5 hours (in-person training) professional development hours.
To register for the NPA Forums, visit the California Preschool Instructional Network Child Care NPA Forums web page.
Meal Quality Forums
The Meal Quality (MQ) Forums focus on enhancing the nutrition environment of early child care programs through improved food preparation and service. The forums highlight healthy meal planning, food purchasing, food preparation, culinary skills, recipe development, and safety. Participants will be exposed to a variety of recipes and techniques to assist with the creation of meals to bolster health and wellness.
Participants will receive 3.5 hours (virtual training) or 6.0 hours (in-person training) professional development hours.
To register for the MQ Forums, visit the California Preschool Instructional Network Child Care MQ Forums web page.
Online Courses
The following online courses are approved to credit toward the 15 hours of professional development to meet the criteria in Preschools SHINE Element 7, Professional Development.
Note: Email PreschoolsSHINE@dss.ca.gov for the Access Code to enroll in all Bright Track courses.
Additional Online Training Databases
The following online training databases include courses that may be approved to credit toward the 15 hours of professional development to meet the criteria in Preschools SHINE Element 7, Professional Development. To request approval for professional development activities completed in these databases, or from another source, contact the Preschools SHINE staff by email at PreschoolsSHINE@dss.ca.gov .
- Institute of Child Nutrition Courses and Learning Plans web page to search for CACFP trainings by selecting the Filter tab and choosing CACFP.
- Penn State Extension Better Kid Care On Demand Distance Education web page to access low-cost online courses. All Better Kid Care On Demand modules are accepted by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing as professional growth activities to meet professional growth requirements renewal of California Child Development Permits.
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Resources
The resources listed in the table below are to be used by Preschools SHINE applicants to assist with applying for the Preschools SHINE program. Additional resources to help implement the criteria within each of the Preschools SHINE elements are listed in the fact sheets for each element.
| Resource |
Description |
| Preschools SHINE Tip Sheet |
Overview of the Preschools SHINE program. |
| Self-Assessment |
Tool used to evaluate the nutrition and physical activity environment at an ECE site to identify strengths and areas for improvement so that a plan of action can be developed. |
| Action Plan |
Tool used to develop a plan to improve the child care environment so children develop healthy and active lifestyle habits by strengthening areas identified on the Preschools SHINE self-assessment as needing improvement. |
| Preschools SHINE Application |
Online application for ECE sites that are applying for Preschools SHINE certification for the first time and for current Preschools SHINE sites that are applying to renew their Preschools SHINE certification. |
| Fact Sheet for Element 1 |
List of the criteria that an ECE site must meet for Element 1 (Participation in the CACFP) and helpful guidance. |
| Fact Sheet for Element 2 |
List of the criteria that an ECE must meet for Element 2 (Promoting Quality Meals) and helpful guidance. |
| Fact Sheet for Element 3 |
List of the criteria that an ECE must meet for Element 3 (Mealtime Environment) and helpful guidance. |
| Fact Sheet for Element 4 |
List of the criteria that an ECE must meet for Element 4 (Nutrition Education) and helpful guidance. |
| Fact Sheet for Element 5 |
List of the criteria that an ECE must meet for Element 5 (Edible Gardening) and helpful guidance. |
| Fact Sheet for Element 6 |
List of the criteria that an ECE must meet for Element 6 (Physical Activity) and helpful guidance. |
| Fact Sheet for Element 7 |
List of the criteria that an ECE must meet for Element 7 (Professional Development) and helpful guidance. |
| Fact Sheet for Element 8 |
List of the criteria that an ECE must meet for Element 8 (Wellness Policies) and helpful guidance. |
| Fact Sheet for Element 9 |
List of the criteria that an ECE must meet for Element 9 (Partnerships) and helpful guidance. |
| Fact Sheet for Element 10 |
List of the criteria that an ECE must meet for Element 10 (Leadership Team) and helpful guidance. |
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Certified Sites
The following ECE sites provide high-quality nutrition and physical activity environments and have received a Preschools SHINE Certificate of Recognition, effective for the timeframe listed below.
Alameda County
- Basima Mukaled Family Child Care (Bronze) May 29, 2024–May 28, 2028
Contra Costa County
- Luv Muffins Preschool and Childcare (Gold) April 10, 2023–April 9, 2027
- Best Beginnings Day Care and Preschool (Gold) April 10, 2023–April 9, 2027
Fresno County
- CSN Firm Preschool, Fresno (Bronze) November 15, 2022–November 14, 2026
Humboldt County
- College of the Redwoods Child Development Center (Silver) May 21, 2024–May 20, 2028
Imperial County
- Mascareno Family Child Care, Calexico (Bronze) May 21, 2024–May 20, 2028
Los Angeles County
- From the Heart Preschool, Inglewood (Silver) June 1, 2022–May 31, 2026
- Palmdale School District, Antelope Site, Palmdale(Bronze) January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027
- Palmdale School District, Avenue J Site, Palmdale(Bronze) January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027
- Palmdale School District, Chaparral Site, Palmdale(Bronze) January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027
- Palmdale School District, Highland Site, Palmdale(Bronze) January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027
- Palmdale School District, Mesquite Site, Palmdale(Bronze) January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027
- Palmdale School District, Ocotillo Site, Palmdale(Bronze) January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027
- Palmdale School District, Palm Tree Site, Palmdale(Bronze) January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027
- Palmdale School District, Site 18, Palmdale(Bronze) January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027
- Palmdale School District, Tamarisk Site, Palmdale(Bronze) January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027
- Palmdale School District, Tierra Bonita Site, Palmdale(Bronze) January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027
- Palmdale School District, Tumbleweed Site, Palmdale(Bronze) January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027
- Palmdale School District, Wilsona Site, Palmdale(Bronze) January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027
- Palmdale School District, Yucca Site, Palmdale (Bronze) January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027
- Sound of Music Preschool, Los Angeles (Silver) January 11, 2023–January 10, 2027
Sacramento County
- Rosemont Playschool Inc., Sacramento (Bronze) May 31, 2022–May 30, 2026
- Learn Out Loud Preschool & Childcare, Orangevale (Bronze) May 28, 2024–May 27, 2028
San Diego County
- Baby Angels Center #2, Chula Vista (Silver) January 11, 2023–January 10, 2027
- Kids Paradise Daycare LLC, Vista (Bronze) June 1, 2022–May 31, 2026
- Little Blossoms Childcare, Chula Vista (Gold) August 11, 2022–July 10, 2026
San Francisco County
- Yin Yu Hui Daycare, San Francisco (Gold) June 3, 2024–June 2, 2028
Santa Clara County
- Dreamland Daycare LLC, San Jose (Gold) June 1, 2022–May 31, 2026
- Jennifer Contreras Childcare, Gilroy (Silver) June 1, 2022–May 31, 2026
- Miny’s Child Care and Preschool, San Jose (Gold) May 16, 2024–May 15, 2028
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.