Nutrition in Early Learning and Child Care

This page is for Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) professionals, developed by Public Health Dietitians at Alberta Health Services.

Our goal is to share tools and resources that support healthy growth, build food skills, and help children develop a healthy relationship with food.

How can Public Health Dietitians Help?

Public Health Dietitians work with ELCC programs across the province and can provide support by:

• Strengthening educator nutrition knowledge and skills
• Collaborating on the development or revision of nutrition policies
• Helping educators foster food exploration and learning through play‑based activities
• Assisting with evaluation activities

Share Your Feedback!

Your feedback helps us improve the resources and supports we offer. Please share your input.
• Tell us about yourself and your child care program by completing our Quick Poll.
• Have questions or ideas? Email us at publichealth.nutrition@ahs.ca

Stay Up to Date!

We will highlight helpful resources and share new content regularly. To stay updated, subscribe to this page by clicking “Subscribe”.

For more resources on healthy eating in child care, see Healthy Eating at Early Learning & Child Care Centres.

This page is for Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) professionals, developed by Public Health Dietitians at Alberta Health Services.

Our goal is to share tools and resources that support healthy growth, build food skills, and help children develop a healthy relationship with food.

How can Public Health Dietitians Help?

Public Health Dietitians work with ELCC programs across the province and can provide support by:

• Strengthening educator nutrition knowledge and skills
• Collaborating on the development or revision of nutrition policies
• Helping educators foster food exploration and learning through play‑based activities
• Assisting with evaluation activities

Share Your Feedback!

Your feedback helps us improve the resources and supports we offer. Please share your input.
• Tell us about yourself and your child care program by completing our Quick Poll.
• Have questions or ideas? Email us at publichealth.nutrition@ahs.ca

Stay Up to Date!

We will highlight helpful resources and share new content regularly. To stay updated, subscribe to this page by clicking “Subscribe”.

For more resources on healthy eating in child care, see Healthy Eating at Early Learning & Child Care Centres.

  • What's New

    New Online Courses to Support Child Care Educators and Staff

    We are pleased to share two online courses for child care educators and staff.


    New Supporting Healthy Relationships with Food: A Guide for ELCC Educators

    This course helps educators support children in developing a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. You will learn how everyday words and actions can create a positive eating environment. Developed by Nutrition Services, Alberta Health Services.


    Updated Alberta Health and Safety Basics for Child Care

    This updated course covers key health and safety practices for child care settings.

    You will learn about:

    • Preventing the spread of illness
    • Safe food handling
    • Injury prevention

    Participants will build knowledge to confidently apply daily health and safety best practices, support compliance with legislation, and reduce risks to children. Developed by Public Health Inspectors with Safe Health Environments.

    Courses are fully online, self-study courses that can be completed at any time.

    Select the course link(s) you want to take below:

    Click “Start” if you already have an account or click register to sign-up for an account. More information on registering for courses is available here: Registering For EPH Online Courses. Find the course you are interested in through the catalogue and click enroll.

    Once you have enrolled, complete the course online at your own pace and then view and print any certificate(s) for your course.

    For more information, please contact:

    Publichealth.nutrition@ahs.ca or SHEEducation@albertahealthservices.ca

    New Online Courses to Support Child Care Educators and Staff

    We are pleased to share two online courses for child care educators and staff.


    New Supporting Healthy Relationships with Food: A Guide for ELCC Educators

    This course helps educators support children in developing a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. You will learn how everyday words and actions can create a positive eating environment. Developed by Nutrition Services, Alberta Health Services.


    Updated Alberta Health and Safety Basics for Child Care

    This updated course covers key health and safety practices for child care settings.

    You will learn about:

    • Preventing the spread of illness
    • Safe food handling
    • Injury prevention

    Participants will build knowledge to confidently apply daily health and safety best practices, support compliance with legislation, and reduce risks to children. Developed by Public Health Inspectors with Safe Health Environments.

    Courses are fully online, self-study courses that can be completed at any time.

    Select the course link(s) you want to take below:

    Click “Start” if you already have an account or click register to sign-up for an account. More information on registering for courses is available here: Registering For EPH Online Courses. Find the course you are interested in through the catalogue and click enroll.

    Once you have enrolled, complete the course online at your own pace and then view and print any certificate(s) for your course.

    For more information, please contact:

    Publichealth.nutrition@ahs.ca or SHEEducation@albertahealthservices.ca

  • Share your thoughts!

    We are working on a NEW nutrition handout for parents and caregivers.

    It is about packing meals and snacks for young children in childcare and school.

    The handout includes:

    • Simple tips for meals and snacks
    • Ideas from Canada's food guide
    • The role of parents and caregivers, school and childcare staff, and children
    • Food safety tips

    We want to know what you think.

    • What is helpful?
    • What can be better?

    Please read the handout.

    Then share your thoughts in the survey. Deadline Jun 5, 2026.

    We are working on a NEW nutrition handout for parents and caregivers.

    It is about packing meals and snacks for young children in childcare and school.

    The handout includes:

    • Simple tips for meals and snacks
    • Ideas from Canada's food guide
    • The role of parents and caregivers, school and childcare staff, and children
    • Food safety tips

    We want to know what you think.

    • What is helpful?
    • What can be better?

    Please read the handout.

    Then share your thoughts in the survey. Deadline Jun 5, 2026.