Community of Practice Models as Equity Catalysts: Bridging Research, Policy, and Practice in Early Childhood Nutrition
1
Family and Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
2
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
3
Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
4
School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) nutrition represents a critical public health equity issue, yet research translation into practice remains fragmented. The National Nutrition Network–ECEC (Australia) is a virtual community of practice linking researchers, policy, and practice-makers, as a system intermediary to advance equitable access to evidence-based nutrition guidance and support in ECEC food environments.
AIM:
To examine equity in access to support (e.g., tools, mentoring, data/information systems, and workforce stability) and the role of the NNN–ECEC as a contextual, scalable intermediary.
METHODS:
Network evolution was tracked from 2018-2025, from organic clusters to a structured governance model: core leadership and three action streams - measurement, intervention, and communication. Data comprised member surveys, routine activity tracking, and semi-structured interviews. Qualitative analysis used EPIS (Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment) framework.
RESULTS:
Member survey data (n=19) identified NNN–ECEC’s impacts as partnerships and collaborations, engagement and knowledge dissemination, and capacity building via tools, methods and professional development. Responses described changes in how members supported ECEC services, including cross-jurisdictional sharing of tools and mentoring under-resourced services. Key threats were limited time and resourcing, and reliance on a small leadership group. Interviews (n=6) reinforced these impacts and prioritised three equity-critical system supports: a more stable and recognised ECEC nutrition workforce, stronger data and feedback systems, and clearer policy mandates for nutritious, sustainable food provision.
CONCLUSIONS:
Community of practice models operating as system intermediaries can improve equitable access to tools, mentoring and expertise. Sustaining impact requires policy mandates, ongoing funding, cross-sector communication, and workforce stability. These insights highlight the NNN-ECEC’s role in offering a scalable, transferable blueprint that addresses system gaps and strengthens cross-sector support by enabling coordinated, contextualised responses to advance health equity across diverse early childhood settings.
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) nutrition represents a critical public health equity issue, yet research translation into practice remains fragmented. The National Nutrition Network–ECEC (Australia) is a virtual community of practice linking researchers, policy, and practice-makers, as a system intermediary to advance equitable access to evidence-based nutrition guidance and support in ECEC food environments.
AIM:
To examine equity in access to support (e.g., tools, mentoring, data/information systems, and workforce stability) and the role of the NNN–ECEC as a contextual, scalable intermediary.
METHODS:
Network evolution was tracked from 2018-2025, from organic clusters to a structured governance model: core leadership and three action streams - measurement, intervention, and communication. Data comprised member surveys, routine activity tracking, and semi-structured interviews. Qualitative analysis used EPIS (Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment) framework.
RESULTS:
Member survey data (n=19) identified NNN–ECEC’s impacts as partnerships and collaborations, engagement and knowledge dissemination, and capacity building via tools, methods and professional development. Responses described changes in how members supported ECEC services, including cross-jurisdictional sharing of tools and mentoring under-resourced services. Key threats were limited time and resourcing, and reliance on a small leadership group. Interviews (n=6) reinforced these impacts and prioritised three equity-critical system supports: a more stable and recognised ECEC nutrition workforce, stronger data and feedback systems, and clearer policy mandates for nutritious, sustainable food provision.
CONCLUSIONS:
Community of practice models operating as system intermediaries can improve equitable access to tools, mentoring and expertise. Sustaining impact requires policy mandates, ongoing funding, cross-sector communication, and workforce stability. These insights highlight the NNN-ECEC’s role in offering a scalable, transferable blueprint that addresses system gaps and strengthens cross-sector support by enabling coordinated, contextualised responses to advance health equity across diverse early childhood settings.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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