For more information contact:
Madison Area YMCA Marketing & Communications 
Email: smcevoy@madisonymca.org

For Immediate Release

Start Healthy, Stay Healthy: Free Childhood Nutrition Seminar at the Madison Area YMCA Family Center on September 28

(Madison, NJ) September 7, 2018—Give children the best possible start. The first 1,000 days makes all the difference. All are invited to the Start Healthy, Stay Healthy: Childhood Nutrition Seminar at the Madison Area YMCA Family Center on Fri., Sept. 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. This free event includes free babysitting and light refreshments. Each family will also receive a gift bag valued at more than $100 (1 gift bag per family).

Current research shows that children’s eating patterns are set by the time they are 24 months old. Learn the importance of providing healthier eating choices, how to conquer picky eaters’ habits and the secrets of appropriate portion management. This program teaches parents and caregivers ways to ensure the health and nutrition of young children.

Presenters include: Katie Koontz, Regional Healthy U Coordinator for the Madison Area YMCA; Pediatric Nutritionist Connie Shirtz, MS, RD, CDE and
F.M. Kirby Children’s Center Health Services Coordinator Kristin Stanley, RN, BSN.

Registration is limited. Register at www.madisonymca.org or contact Katie Koontz at kkoontz@madisonymca.org or 973-377-4945.

The F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA is one of the largest early childhood development centers in Morris County. The Kirby Center provides exceptional quality, curriculum-based early childhood education and care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, Young 5 students and full-day kindergartners, as well as kindergarten wraparound and school-age aftercare programs. As a Grow NJ Kids rated center, the Kirby Center has met the state benchmarks for delivering the highest quality in early childhood education and care. The Kirby Center is also licensed by the New Jersey State Departments of Children and Families, Education, Health, and Human Services. 

As a former elementary school, the Kirby Center facility is specifically designed for children. Kirby has a registered nurse on staff, a full-size gym and a full kitchen that serves snacks and meals that meet the latest nutritional standards of the Department of Agriculture. Located on almost 3 acres of property in a quiet residential setting, it also has five state-of-the-art playgrounds to serve all age groups.

The F.M. Children’s Kirby Center is a member of the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, a participating partner in the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey initiative to implement school-based food, nutrition and physical education programs and is also a flagship center for the Healthy U program which teaches preschool children the importance of physical activity and healthful nutrition. Financial assistance may be available for eligible families.

As a cause-driven charitable organization, the Madison Area YMCA is dedicated to nurturing the potential of every child and teen, and improving the community’s health and well-being and giving back by providing support to our neighbors.

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