The survey was designed to be self-completed by child-care providers of 2-5 year old children at preschools, centers or family daycare homes. Adapted from the NAP SACC tool validated by Benjamin et al (2007), it assesses practices related to both feeding (28 items) and physical activity (13 items). Added was a frequency checklist of 21 foods and beverages served to children on the day preceding the survey, including those provided by the site and those brought by parents, listed by eating occasion (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack). The survey format, wording and length were pilot-tested with a convenience sample of 8 child-care providers. It takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and is available in English and Spanish
Published: February 2011
Authors: Atkins Center for Weight and Health, University of California, Berkeley, California Food Policy Advocates, and Samuels & Associates
Keywords: Child Care/Preschool, Food service, Physical activity, Snacks, Spanish language
Focus Area: Early Childhood
Age Group: Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5)
Resource Type: Tools & Measures
Related Research
July 2026
Forecasting WIC Funding Needs: Supporting Families, Strengthening Access
In partnership with Westat and with support from Healthy Eating Research, the National WIC Association (NWA) developed a new forecasting model to project funding needs of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for Fiscal Year 2027. Report This report describes the model development, including methodology, as well as analysis conducted MoreMay 2026
A Pediatric Perspective on the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines
Clear, evidence-based guidance on what foods and beverages children and adolescents should consume—and in what amounts—is foundational for promoting healthy growth and preventing diet-related chronic disease across the life course. Yet many children and adolescents in the US continue to have diets of poor nutritional quality. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), issued every 5 MoreApril 2026