Aim
At Wellington Public School Preschool, our aim is to:
· Promote healthy food and drinks based on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Australian Dietary Guidelines and Infant Feeding Guidelines.
· Provide food to children that has been stored, prepared and served in a safe and hygienic manner and to promote hygienic food practices.
· Provide a positive eating environment which reflects cultural and family values.
· Promote lifelong learning for children, early childhood educators and families about healthy food and drink choices.
· Encourage communication with families about the provision of appropriate healthy food and drinks for children while they are attending the service.
Background
Wellington Public School Preschool recognises the importance of healthy eating to the growth and development of young children and is committed to supporting the healthy food and drink choices of children in their care. This policy concerns the provision of healthy food and drink while children are in care and the promotion of normal growth and development.
The service is committed to implementing the healthy eating key messages outlined in Munch & Move and to supporting the National Healthy Eating Guidelines for Early Childhood Settings as outlined in the Get Up & Grow resources.
Further, Wellington Public School Preschool recognises the importance of supporting families in providing healthy food and drink to their children. It is acknowledged that the early childhood setting has an important role in supporting families in healthy eating.
Legislative Requirements
Education & Care Services National Law
Education & Care Services National Regulations 2011
Links to the National Quality Standard
Standard 2.1 – Health: Each child’s health and physical activity is supported and promoted
Associated Departmental policy, procedure or guideline
Nutrition in School policy
Who is affected by this Procedure?
Families and staff members at Wellington Public School Preschool
Implementation
Promote healthy food and drinks based on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents.
WPS Preschool will:
· Provide information to families on the types of foods and drinks recommended for children and suitable for children’s lunchboxes.
· Encourage children to eat the more nutritious foods provided in their lunchbox, such as sandwiches, fruit, cheese and yoghurt, before eating any less nutritious food provided.
· Discourage the provision of highly processed snack foods high in fat, salt and sugar and low in essential nutrients in children’s lunchboxes. Examples of these foods include lollies, chocolates, sweet biscuits, muesli bars, breakfast bars, fruit filled bars, chips, oven-baked crackers and corn chips.
WPS Preschool will:
· Ensure water is readily available for children to drink throughout the day.
· Be aware of children with food allergies, food intolerances and special diets and consult with families to develop individual management plans.
· Ensure young children do not have access to foods that may cause choking.
· Ensure all children remain seated while eating and drinking.
· Always supervise children while eating and drinking.
· Encourage and provide opportunities for cooking staff and educators to undertake regular professional development to maintain and enhance their knowledge about early childhood nutrition.
Provide food to children that has been stored, prepared and served in a safe and hygienic manner and to promote hygienic food practices.
WPS Preschool will:
· Ensure gloves are worn or food tongs are used by all staff handling ‘ready to eat’ foods.
· Children and staff wash and dry their hands (using soap, warm running water and single use or disposable towels) before handling food or eating meals and snacks.
· Food is stored and served at safe temperatures i.e. below 5oC or above 60oC.
· Separate cutting boards are used for raw meat and chicken and utensils and hands are washed before touching other foods.
· Children will be discouraged from handling other children’s food and utensils.
Provide a positive eating environment which reflects cultural and family values
WPS Preschool will:
· Ensure that educators sit with the children at meal and snack times to role model healthy food and drink choices and actively engage children in conversations about the food and drink provided.
· Endeavour to recognise, nurture and celebrate the dietary differences of children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
· Create a relaxed atmosphere at mealtimes where children have enough time to eat and enjoy their food as well as enjoying the social interactions with educators and other children.
· Encourage preschoolers to assist to set and clear the table and serve their own food and drink - providing opportunities for them to develop independence and self-esteem.
· Respect each child’s appetite. If a child is not hungry or is satisfied, do not insist he/she eats.
· Be patient with messy or slow eaters.
· Encourage children to try different foods but do not force them to eat.
· Do not use food as a reward or withhold food from children for disciplinary purposes.
Promote lifelong learning for children, early childhood staff and families about healthy food and drink choices.
WPS Preschool will:
· Foster awareness and understanding of healthy food and drink choices through including in the children’s program a range of learning experiences encouraging children’s healthy eating.
· Encourage children to participate in a variety of ‘hands-on’ food preparation experiences.
· Provide opportunities for children to engage in discovery learning and discussion about healthy food and drink choices.
Encourage communication with families about the provision of appropriate healthy food and drinks for children while they are attending the service.
WPS Preschool will:
· Provide a copy of the Nutrition Statement to all families upon orientation at the service. Families will be provided with opportunities to contribute to the review and development of the policy.
· Request that details of any food allergies or intolerances or specific dietary requirements be provided to the service and work in partnership with families to develop an appropriate response so that children’s individual dietary needs are met.
· Communicate regularly with families about food and nutrition related experiences within the service and provide up to date information to assist families to provide healthy food choices at home.
· Communicate regularly with families and provide information and advice on appropriate food and drink to be included in children’s lunchboxes. This information may be provided to families in a variety of ways including factsheets, newsletters, during orientation, information sessions and informal discussion.
Review
This statement will be reviewed annually. Review will be conducted by School Principal, Preschool Staff, parents/carers and any interested parties.