Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate nutrition education competencies and a competency-based resource guide, Connecting the Dots...Healthy Foods, Healthy Choices, Healthy Kids (CTD), for preschool-aged children in California. Methods: Nutrition education experts and California Department of Education staff participated in the development and revision of nutrition education competencies for preschool-aged children, through the use of a sequential review process, including focus groups. The resulting competencies were then used as a framework for development of the CTD resource guide, for use by child care center staff and family day care home providers. To evaluate the resource guide, field test sites were selected in five locations in California, and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. Results: Results of the competency review process indicated that child care center staff and family day care home providers in California perceived a need for the competencies, and recommended the development of a competency-based resource guide. The CTD resource guide was created in response to this need. Results demonstrated that field test participants would recommend the use of the CTD to others serving preschool-aged children. Applications to Child Nutrition Professionals: Results from this preliminary study indicated a need for nutrition education competencies and a competency-based resource guide for preschool-aged children. The competencies and CTD resource guide addressed this need in California, and may be useful to child nutrition professionals serving this age group and interested in adapting this resource for their population. (Contains 2 tables.)