Healthy Eating
Policy
SEASHELLS
NURSERY
Community Centre
Albert Road
Eyemouth
TD14 5DE
Tel. 018907 52082
Email: seashellsnursery@hotmail.co.uk
www.seashellsnursery.jimdo.com
|
LAST UPDATED / REVIEWED ON |
SIGNATURE |
|
17th May 2017 |
Miriam Lindsay |
|
24th April 2020 |
Julie Windram |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statement of Purpose
The promotion of children’s healthy eating is an important aspect of high quality childcare and children should have a positive experience which helps to develop lifelong healthy eating habits.
Healthy Eating should be promoted in all Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings, and is done so at Seashells by providing a well-balanced and nutritious diet. All children in ELC settings need regular healthy meals, snacks and drinks to help develop their health and well-being. Through sharing a positive food experience with others children’s language and social skills can be developed. It is important for staff to consider the individual and cultural needs of any children in their care.
Throughout this guidance the term parents is used to include all main caregivers.
Wellbeing
No matter what the age of the child from babyhood onwards, health and wellbeing is the principal driving force behind children growing up and learning. The wellbeing indicators of GIRFEC, for children to be safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included are implicit. It is also well known that a healthy diet and regular physical exercise are fundamental for a healthy childhood. Babies and young children need a healthy balanced diet to support brain development and physical development. Building the Ambition National Practice Guidance on Early Learning and Childcare Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.
Menu Planning
Seashells will ensure that a well-balanced, healthy and nutritious diet is provided for all children. When planning a menu we will consider the individual nutritional needs of the children, the children’s stage of development, any allergies they may have and their cultural background.
The planned menu will ensure children experience a wide variety of food options from the different food groups. Menus can be divided into meals, snacks and drinks and each of these areas will include fresh fruit and vegetables, milk and water. Water should be available to all children throughout the session and milk, as well as water, should be offered at snack and meal times. Meals will reflect a balance from the different food groups (starchy food, fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and pulses). Food containing large quantities of fat, sugar, artificial additives and colouring will be avoided. Further information on Menu Planning can be found in Setting the Table, Nutritional Guidance and Food Standards for early years childcare providers in Scotland (NHS Scotland 2015 p76).
Environment
The environment should be calm and welcoming and encourage positive social interaction amongst children and staff. Meal and snack times should be used to develop good table manners, establish healthy eating patterns and develop regular eating routines in children. Independence skills should be developed by offering children food and drink choices, and encouraging children to serve and feed themselves. Children should be given time to eat at their own pace and not be rushed. Consideration should be given to the space and managing of meal/snack times as well as the type of food provided. Suitable equipment will be provided for all children taking into account their individual needs and stage of development to ensure a positive experience.
Space to Eat
Provision of food is an integral part of a care and learning environment. When children have a positive experience of eating and drinking in an early learning and childcare service, it will help them to develop an appreciation that eating can be an enjoyable activity, and understand the role of food within social and cultural contexts on long term health benefits. Space to Grow (The Scottish Government 2017).
Good Eating Habits
Positive eating habits should be encouraged and staff should provide an enjoyable, flexible eating experience within the setting, enabling children to develop good eating patterns. Children should experience a variety of different foods and regularly be introduced to new foods. They should be encouraged to try small quantities of all types of foods unless on a special diet or for cultural reasons. Quantities of food/drink offered will be determined by the ages of the children and their individual needs.
If a child does not want to eat a meal or shows signs of distress the food should be removed, without fuss, after a reasonable time and an alternative choice will be offered. Any child who has not eaten their main course should not be denied dessert. Relevant information regarding the child’s eating habits should be recorded and parents should be informed.
Staff should ensure a consistent approach in relation to children’s eating habits and offer praise and encouragement whenever possible. Through play, positive attitudes to healthy eating should be developed.
Partnership with Families
Seashells will work in partnership with parents and any other relevant agencies in their community to promote healthy eating. The weekly menu will be displayed in advance and available for parents and children to view. Parents should be made aware of what their child has eaten and how well they have eaten through regular informal contact.
Staff Development
The preparation and handling of food should be carried out by competent staff who will have sufficient knowledge to ensure food is safe to eat. All Seashells staff will receive training Level 1 Food Hygiene Training, with the Nursery Manager and Office Manager trained to Level 2.
Setting the Table, Nutritional Guidance and Food Standards for early years childcare providers in Scotland (NHS Scotland 2015 p95).
Monitoring of this Policy
It will be the responsibility of Miriam Lindsay, Nursery Manager to ensure that new or temporary staff are familiar with this policy and that the policy is being implemented by all staff.
Links to national policy
Health and Social Care Standards – My Support My Life (The Scottish Government 2017)
1.1,1.2,1.3,1.6,1.8,1.9,1.10,1.11,1.19,1.23,1.33,1.34,1.35,1.36,1.37,1.38,1.39,2.2,2.6,2.8,2.11,2.21,2.24,3.1,3.3,3.7,3.10,3.12,3.13,3.14,3.15,3.16,3.17,3.19,4.1,4.2,4.3,4.8,4.11,4.23,4.27,5.17,5.18,5.20,5.22.
Building the Ambition (The Scottish Government, 2014)
https://www.gov.scot/Resource/0045/00458455.pdf
Getting it right for every child (The Scottish Government, 2012)
https://www.gov.scot/Resource/0042/00423979.pdf
Setting The Table Nutritional guidance and food standards for early years childcare providers in Scotland
http://hub.careinspectorate.com/media/177298/nhs-setting-the-table-updated-jan-2015.pdf
www.educationscotland.gov.uk/earlyyears/prebirthtothree/index.asp
Early Years Framework
www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/01/13095148/4
Space to Grow - Section 02 Environment
https://hub.careinspectorate.com/media/549001/space-to-grow.pdf