Clayton Early Learning is creating an environment that fosters healthy lifestyle choices and attitudes for children, families, staff, and the community.  Health and wellness programs are designed with a cultural and social/emotional focus on producing long-term personal and professional outcomes.

One such program is the Wellness On Campus program, which integrates nutrition, physical activity, and classroom training to support staff lifestyle changes.  This program was highlighted in the Colorado Children's Campaign publication entitled, "Child Obesity in Colorado; a Growing Problem".

As a partner program, weekly low cost physical fitness classes are available on campus to staff, parents, and the community.  These include Tuesday night yoga and Thursday night ZUMBA both from 5:15 pm to 6:15 pm in our beautiful white-spired program building.   Participants report ongoing positive results including stress reduction, weight loss, and lower blood pressure.  Contact (303) 355-4411 for more information.

Child development and wellness is enhanced through comprehensive health and nutrition services that supplement and complement those of the family.  Clayton Educare is a participant in a collaborative effort led by a team from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Adolescent and School Health, the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, and the Prevention Research Centers Program Office to look at various strategies aimed at changing children's environments to prevent obesity. The two-year project, Early Assessment of Programs and Policies to Prevent Childhood Obesity, identifies and assesses local-level programs and policies that can be implemented with success to prevent obesity by improving the eating habits and physical activity levels of children.

In addition, Clayton Educare staff receives specialized training through Head Start initiatives that are designed to address healthy movement and nutrition for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.  A team of staff and parents attend intensive training experiences to learn how healthy nutrition, movement, and music contribute to the overall healthy development of their children.  Then, equipped with this knowledge, the team implements and instructs other program staff in strategies to positively influence the healthy development of children and families in their care.  Parent meetings provide parents with hands on activities to perform with their own children in the area of physical activity and nutrition.

At Clayton Early Learning, healthy lifestyles and attitudes are developed through intentional and strategic programming designed to eliminate barriers to real change.