The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) are proud to recognize and honor early care centers across the state with the Georgia Shape Award. The award honors and recognizes early care and education programs that employ exceptional nutrition and physical activity practices that go above and beyond current licensing standards. The award is open to all childcare facilities that become Quality Rated through Bright from the Start.
Childcare facilities can market themselves as a Georgia Shape recognized program and parents will be encouraged to select “Georgia Shape” programs. Recognized childcare programs will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Commissioner of Public Health; Georgia Shape decals that can be placed on the entrance(s) of the facility; access to the Georgia Shape logo; and inclusion on the Georgia Shape list of designated child care facilities available on the DPH and DECAL websites.
Award Criteria:
The Georgia Department of Public Health and Bright from the Start will use information obtained from the Quality Rated Portfolio to determine which centers qualify to receive the Georgia Shape Award. Centers must be Quality Rated to meet the minimum criteria of the award.
As the award criteria is being updated, check out Georgia Shape for additional resources for early child care facilities.
For further questions, reach out to Diana Myers, Nutrition Health Educator at diana.myers@decal.ga.gov.