REACH recognized ECE programs are leaders in children’s health. To be recognized, facilities must show how they are meeting key research-based best practices to support children’s health and healthy habits. Recognition is available in these areas:
Learn more about how facilities get recognized here.
Recognized Programs County Search
Select your county below to see a list of recognized programs nearby.
2023-2025 Recognized Programs
Child Nutrition
ECE programs recognized for excellence in Child Nutrition meet evidence-based practices that help children get the healthy food their growing bodies and brains need and learn healthy eating habits. These programs offer healthy meals and snacks in a positive eating environment and support families through robust policies and nutrition education.
Oral Health
Young children need healthy, pain-free teeth when they’re learning the fundamental skills of talking, smiling, and eating. ECE programs recognized for excellence in Oral Health go above and beyond to offer brushing with fluoride toothpaste, make water available throughout the day, ensure their staff are trained and comfortable with brushing, and other practices to support and protect little teeth.
WAGES – Belfast Center
They are little ones we look after everyday and they need the caring and nurturing that can and should be given daily.
Physical Activity
ECE programs recognized for excellence in Physical Activity understand how important physical activity is for children’s healthy growth, development, and learning. These programs offer ample time and equipment for physical activity as well as structured and unstructured motor skill activities throughout the day.
Bertie County Schools Pre-K Askewville
We love physical activity because it provides overall wellness components for children and staff.
Friendly Avenue Christian Preschool
So much learning is happening when we’re moving our bodies!
Outdoor Play & Learning
ECE programs recognized for excellence in Physical Activity recognize that children and adults alike feel and do their best when they get fresh air, sunshine, and time to run around. Recognized programs provide ample time for outdoor play, maintain an engaging outdoor learning environment and use it as an extension of the classroom.
Friendly Avenue Christian Preschool
So much learning is happening when we’re moving our bodies!
2022-2024 Recognized Programs
ECE Programs recognized by REACH in Farm to ECE meet important best practices like serving locally produced foods, gardening with children, and doing hands-on food education. These best practices support local agriculture, encourage children’s healthy eating habits, and help them learn about farming and the natural world.
Teddy Bear Child Care Center
Staff, children, and families know the importance of healthy grown food.
Bambino’s Playschool
We place a huge emphasis on serving only the freshest foods during mealtimes, thanks to the relationships we build with local farmers.
Sonflower Seeds
The children hold farmers’ markets to sell the produce and flowers that they grow to families in the community
Pint-Sized Preschool
Farm to ECE has allowed us to not only enjoy meals and snacks from our gardens, but also send home fresh vegetables with our families.
Trogdon’s Daycare
The Farm to ECE movement benefited our facility by increasing the children’s access to local and nutritious foods
A Kind Garden
Farm to ECE has transformed our outdoor area with gardens that mentally change the mood of children, and staff.
Precious Resources Inc.
Children are learning where food comes from and how to care for our environment/planet.
2020-2022 Recognized Programs
ECE Programs recognized by REACH in Farm to ECE meet important best practices like serving locally produced foods, gardening with children, and doing hands-on food education. These best practices support local agriculture, encourage children’s healthy eating habits, and help them learn about farming and the natural world.
ECE Programs recognized by REACH in Child Nutrition meet important best practices like serving nutritious foods, making mealtimes positive, engaging families with nutrition information and including child nutrition in their policies. These best practices support children’s health and encourage healthy eating habits for a lifetime.
REACH Recognition 