Nurseries, childminders and other providers of early years services now have extra support on providing healthy meals for young children, and to help reduce obesity in under-fives, thanks to
new national, voluntary guidelines just launched.
For the first time, childcare providers have a nationally recognised source of information about the food they should offer young children, portion sizes, sample menus and recipes, advice on tackling fussy eating and involving children in food and cooking activities.
It follows an independent report in 2010, which flagged up demand for clearer guidance from childcare providers and parents.
It said that although many childcare providers were already doing good work in this area, research suggested that some were giving young children food which was more appropriate for older children and adults.
This could mean children eating too little energy, carbohydrate and essential minerals such as iron and zinc, and too much salt and sugar.
The report highlighted the fact that healthy eating before the age of five is vital because more than a fifth of children are overweight or obese when they join reception class.
Not only that, but there is evidence that Type 2 diabetes (diet-related) is appearing in young children and their dental health is deteriorating.
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), the National Childminding Association and the Pre-School Learning Alliance are among those supporting the guidelines, which have been launched by the School Food Trust (SFT).
Nutritionist Patricia Mucavele from the SFT says: “There’s lots of support being put into place to help any early years provider start to use these guidelines – we are piloting training with five local authorities already and will be coming to more areas in the coming year.
“This is just the beginning, and we hope that as many providers as possible will use these guidelines to help children get a healthy start in life.”
Children’s Minister Sarah Teather says: “Healthy eating is at the heart of helping every child get the best start in life.
“Nurseries play a vital role in getting children from all backgrounds to develop good eating habits – but many lack the expert knowledge of what is the best food to serve.
“Parents rightly want their children to be eating healthy, nutritional food. Thanks to these voluntary guidelines drawn up by the School Food Trust, we will help nurseries and other childcare providers do just that.”
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, says: “We warmly welcome the voluntary guidelines as this code of practice will assist childcare providers as they navigate through the maze of information about what food and drink is nutritionally appropriate and inappropriate for
young children.”
NDNA chief executive Purnima Tanuku says: “The NDNA welcomes and is fully supportive of these new guidelines which will help children to get a healthy start in their early years and hopefully instil a healthy eating attitude which will last a lifetime.
“We will be working with our member nurseries to help them to understand and implement the guidelines well in their settings.”
A voluntary code of practice for childcare providers, launched by the SFT at the same time, includes steps such as consulting with children and their families about the food they offer, planning menus which meet the dietary needs of all children, and offering a good dining environment with chances for children to build social skills through food.
The National Children’s Bureau, the Daycare Trust and 4Children are also official supporters of the guidelines, which can be downloaded for free from www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/eatbetterstartbetter or they can be ordered in hard copy.