SHINE Element 7: Professional Development

Overview

Guidance for implementing the criteria for Element 7, Professional Development, of the Preschools Shaping Healthy Impressions through Nutrition and Exercise (SHINE) program.

Criteria for Element 7, Professional Development

1. Identify key staff to participate in professional development.
   
   
2. Ensure key staff at the preschool complete a total of 15 hours of professional development in areas related to nutrition, physical activity, and wellness within the past three years.

Staff training is important to a quality child nutrition and physical activity program. Key staff (e.g., Preschools SHINE leadership team members) should be adequately trained and regularly participate in professional development activities to improve their knowledge and skills and understand their responsibilities.

Follow the practices below to meet the criteria for Element 7

1. Identify key staff to participate in professional development:
   
   
   • Staff members who play a key role in shaping healthy behaviors should participate in professional development related to the nutrition and physical activity environment.
     
     
   • In a child care center, key staff may include the site director, lead teacher, nutritionist, cook, menu planner, and other food service personnel.
     
     
   • In family child care homes, key staff includes the provider and may also include the sponsoring organization staff members, the provider’s employees, and parents.
     
     
2. Ensure key staff at the preschool, as a whole, complete 15 hours of professional development in areas related to nutrition, physical activity, and wellness within the past three years:
   
   
   • Approved professional development opportunities for the Preschools SHINE program are listed on the Trainings tab of the CDSS Preschools SHINE Program web page.
     
     
   • To request approval for other professional development activities, contact the Preschools SHINE staff by email at PreschoolsSHINE@dss.ca.gov .

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

Last updated: January 2022