Introduction
There is a vast amount of research out there in relation to the benefits of high-quality nutrition between birth and the age of 5. Previous research drew the obvious link between poor diet and increasing rates of child obesity however more recent research links nutrition in the early years with lifelong attitudes towards food and chronic disease.
High quality food is a major part of Futuro’s purpose for a reason. We understand the critical importance of a high quality diet for children, and are working to set the next generation on the path of lifetime optimal health and wellbeing.
Quality
Food should be low in sugar, trans fats and refined carbohydrates. Heavily processed, pre-prepared and store-bought foods should be avoided. All centres in Australia are required to prepare their menus in advance and communicate it to families. Families should also have the opportunity to contribute suggestions and ideas for items to include on the menu.
On the menu, look out for fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, proteins (meat, fish, tofu etc), legumes and whole grains like oats and rice. Whilst your child might turn their nose up at the idea of a Mongolian Lamb Stew or Lentil Curry at home, you would be surprised what they will eat in an early learning centre with their friends...
Keep an eye out for Futuro’s gardening efforts in our on-site veggie patch! The children will help us plant and harvest food from our veggie garden, to go in beautiful meals created in our on-site kitchen.
Food Safety
Food safety is a more technical aspect of food preparation in childcare but is still critically important. Childcare centres are required to prepare food in commercial kitchens, which support food safe practices. Similarly, centre cooks are required to have food safe handling certificates, which helps to ensure that food is stored and prepared in a way that minimises the risk of pathogens and bacteria, whilst also establishing practices that minimise the risk of children being exposed to known allergens.
Allergy Management
Your centre should take an extremely rigorous approach to the management of known allergens to reduce the risk of possible exposure. If you are unsure what your centre’s approach is to allergy management, ask to see their policy on the topic and if your child develops an allergy, please ensure that you let the centre know so that they can take steps to manage it appropriately.
Quantity
Many centres will offer food to children as required throughout the day, whilst being mindful of that child’s developmental needs and any routines at home. Many centres will offer ‘progressive meal times’ which means that small groups of children, usually of the same age, will eat together at the same time. Flexibility in scheduling meal times means that children don’t have to be disrupted if they are in the midst of an engaging educational activity, and can eat their meal with their group a little bit later.
In order to ensure that no one goes hungry, centres will often offer children a wide range of opportunities to eat throughout the day including breakfast, morning tea, lunch (usually a cooked lunch), afternoon tea and a late snack. The guidelines require centres to ensure that children receive at least 50% of their daily nutritional intake each day, with many centres offering children more than that amount.
Breastfeeding
It is important to support breastfeeding in long day care settings, as this represents an important source of nutrition for younger children. Centres ideally will have an open door policy and a quiet space in the centre for parents wishing to attend the centre throughout the day to breastfeed their child.
For more information about Futuro and our approach to high quality early learning, please visit our website: www.futuro.nsw.edu.au, email us at enquiries@futuro.nsw.edu.au or call us on 1 300 388 876.
(Photo by JOSHUA COLEMAN on Unsplash)