--- title: "Continuing Healthy Habits: Go NAPSACC Success Story" description: Healthy nutrition in preschool promotes growth, learning, and lifelong healthy habits. Explore Go NAPSACC tools and strategies to enhance your child care program's nutrition practices. image: https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/Clix-2026.03.31Exploration%20Station%20Success-1.png --- [![Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png?width=666&height=414&name=Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png "Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo")](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication) Open main menu Close main menu [Child Care Health and Wellness](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-health-and-wellness) # Continuing Healthy Habits: Go NAPSACC Success Story [Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/author/child-care-aware-of-missouri) [Share this blog post via Email](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EContinuing+Healthy+Habits%3A+Go+NAPSACC+Success+Story%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post%3A+https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/chaw-continuing-healthy-habits-go-napsacc-success-story) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/chaw-continuing-healthy-habits-go-napsacc-success-story) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/chaw-continuing-healthy-habits-go-napsacc-success-story) ![](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/Clix-2026.03.31Exploration%20Station%20Success-1.png) What began as Alison Welch's plan to become a pediatric nurse grew into a passion for shaping young lives through early childhood education. While still completing her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Alison opened The Exploration Station–Hess Road in House Springs in 2016 and later expanded with a second location on Old Gravois Road in 2022. Dedicated to continuous quality improvement, Alison enrolled both of her programs in the Go NAPSACC (Nutrition and Physical Activity Self- Assessment for Child Care) project, funded by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), to strengthen healthy habits for children. With support from Technical Assistance Specialist Shannon Carr, Alison and her team added more colorful vegetables to their menus, ensured children received at least 120 minutes of daily physical activity, and engaged families in introducing new foods while partnering with a local farmer to feature fresh, seasonal produce. More than three years later, both programs continue building on these practices by using Go NAPSACC recipes, like their popular In-Season Fruit Smoothies and prioritizing fresh fruits and vegetables, even as they search for a new farm partner after their previous one closed. In 2024, the Old Gravois Road location joined the Hess Road program in earning DHSS MOve Smart recognition, reflecting Alison’s commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles for the children and families they serve. Ready to join Go NAPSACC? Gain access to practical tools, strategies, and resources designed to help child care programs support healthy habits for young children. Registration for the April 2026 Go NAPSACC project is now open. [Click here to learn more about the Go NAPSACC project.](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F52LXNS) If you have questions, please contact Lauri Choate, Director of Training, at [lauri@mochildcareaware.org](mailto:lauri@mochildcareaware.org) or 314-754-1603. --- Explore our other Child Care Aware® of Missouri resources: [Clock Hour Training](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/free-clock-hour-training) [Scholarships for Educators](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/scholarships-for-educators) [Child Care Health and Wellness](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-nutrition-and-physical-activity) [Family Child Care Network](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/family-child-care-network) [Leadership Development Opportunities](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/leadership-development-opportunities) [Missouri Office of Childhood Updates](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/missouri-office-of-childhood-updates) [Show Me Child Care Resources](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/show-me-child-care-resources) [Support Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/support-child-care-aware) [Community Data](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/community-data) [Join Our Team](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/join-our-team) [Resources to Build Your Business ](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/resources-to-build-your-business)     #### About - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### Services - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### News - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram