Nurseries, childminders and other providers of early years services now have extra support on providing healthy meals for young children in under-fives, thanks to new national, voluntary guidelines which have been launched.
For the first time, childcare providers have a nationally-recognised source of information about the foods 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 demand for clearer guidance from childcare providers and parents. Whilst many childcare providers are already doing good work in this area, research suggests that some are giving young children food which is more appropriate for older children and adults. This can mean children eat too little energy, carbohydrate and essential minerals such as iron and zinc, and too much salt and sugar.
The report highlighted that with more than a fifth of children either overweight or obese when they join reception class; Type 2 diabetes appearing and dental health in young children deteriorating, healthy eating before the age of five is vital.
The National Day Nurseries Association, the National Childminding Association and the Pre-School Learning Alliance are among those supporting the guidelines, which are launched by the School Food Trust.
Nutritionist, Patricia Mucavele, said: “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.”
Childminder Julia Deakin, who was just one of the early years providers who tested the guidelines, said: “Perhaps the best part of the process has been learning and following the fantastic new healthy recipes. They are easy to follow and delicious, the children have loved them all. I even take them along to the supermarket with me, and you don’t have to be a superstar chef to get them right.”
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said: “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.”
Source: School Food Trust
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024