Early childhood development is not only essential for school readiness, but sets the stage for lifelong success across many aspects of a student's life. The long-term impact and significance of quality early childhood education has become a national focus in the United States in recent decades. Numerous policies from the national to the local level have sought to ensure that all children are ready to learn, particularly relative to the value and importance of health. These policies lay a foundation for changes that work to normalize health programming in the preschool years and create the impetus for programs to accomplish the underlying goals so that all children are able to succeed in school. This paper presents some of the changes enacted nationally and locally in Washington, DC and gives a perspective on how to effectively implement staff wellness and nutrition education programming to create healthier early childhood center environments that will support the health and development of the next generation. (author abstract)