In front row, left to right, are Nina Vasquez, Kwan Davis, Brock Smith, and Tommy Meredith. In back, from left to right, are Patty Campbell, Anderson County Health Department nutritionist; Terry Frank, Anderson County mayor; Terry Peek, director of the Emory Valley Early Learning Center; and Jennifer Enderson, president of the Emory Valley Center. (Photo courtesy of Anderson County Health Department)
The Emory Valley Early Learning Center in Oak Ridge recently completed all requirements to be considered a “Gold Sneaker” facility by the State of Tennessee.
And on June 10, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank and employees of the Anderson County Health Department presented Emory Valley Learning Center with its Gold Sneaker incentives. The Gold Sneaker Initiative designation, developed by the Tennessee Department of Health, is an enhanced certification for daycares in Tennessee and requires that these centers maintain rigorous standards of physical activity, nutrition, and a tobacco-free campus, a press release said.
“The team at Emory Valley Center was so proud of their recognition, as they should be,” Frank said in the press release. “A focus on health and wellness during the early years is assuredly an investment in a healthy adulthood. I congratulate their wonderful team’s hard work and commitment meeting the standards of the governor and the Department of Health.”
The Emory Valley Early Learning Center has completed all required trainings from the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Department of Human Services and received a Certificate of Achievement signed by Governor Bill Haslam.
The Emory Valley Early Learning Center also received two “Gold Sneaker” stickers placed at the entrance to the facility, recognition on the Gold Sneaker website, and access to an electronic “Gold Sneaker” logo for use on its promotional materials, the press release said.
In addition, Emory Valley Early Learning Center received an incentive package of materials to help provide learning experiences for children related to physical activity, nutrition, and a tobacco-free environment.
Research has confirmed that early childhood is the optimal time to establish healthy lifestyle habits, the press release said.
“Emory Valley Early Learning Center has always been in the forefront of innovative and healthy daycare programming, and this newest step confirms their commitment to helping Anderson County children be the healthiest they can be,” the release said.
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