STATEMENT
Girrinbai Community Preschool is committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle for children by ensuring that our nutritional policy and strategies are consistent with the 2004 Children’s Services Regulations and the National Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents and Food Safety Principles.We will ensure that our practises reflect the developmental levels of the children based on the child's age, religion , cultural
NUTRITIONAL POLICY
STATEMENT
Girrinbai Community Preschool is committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle for children by ensuring that our nutritional policy and strategies are consistent with the 2004 Children’s Services Regulations and the National Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents and Food Safety Principles.
We will ensure that our practises reflect the developmental levels of the children based on the child's age, religion , cultural needs or medical backgrounds.
Objective:
Girrinbai Community Preschool staff and parents will ensure that ALL food consumed by children whilst at preschool will :
- meet the current standards and recommendations in relation to nutritional requirements.
-are appropriate to the child’s age, cultural and religious backgrounds.
-are of a variety and quantity that satisfies the child’s appetite and interest and also meets their nutrition requirements.
-meet any dietary needs ( allergies , food intolerances)
Girrinbai Community Preschool staff will provide educational programmes and activities to extend the children’s understanding of healthy foods and lifestyles.
Girrinbai Community Preschool staff will provide information to parents to educate, support and facilitate the policy.
Girrinbai Community Preschool staff will practice safe food handling procedures when managing all foods and drinks.
This Lunch Box had all the requirements-ham on the sandwich, Yoghurt, fruit and vegetables and grains. Water was provided at lunch time
STRATEGIES
For Children who are in attendance from 9.00am to 3.00pm
The service will ensure that all children are provided with one main meal (lunch) and one snack ( morning tea) .
The Staff and Parents will ensure that all children who are 3 years or older are provided with:
-1 child size serve of meat or meat alternatives.
-2 child size serves of vegetables. ( if under 3 then only 1 serving)
-1 child sized serve of fruit
- 2 child sized serves of dairy
- at least 3 child serves of breads- cereals, rice, pasta or noodles. ( if under 3 then 2 servings)
* Over the whole eating periods e.g. morning tea and lunch.
* Staff will provide milk at morning tea and water at lunch. Water will also be available at all times throughout the day.
The service will ensure that children whilst in care the children will be provided with milk ( reduced fat) and water only. Water will be available to children at all times.
During outside play time in warmer weather- jugs of water will be provided for the children to access fresh drinking water. Access to the bubbler is also available.
No sweetened drinks will be provided to children. ( fruit juice, cordial, soft drink or flavoured milk).
The service will ensure that children ARE NOT provided with foods high in salt, fat and sugar. A list of foods will be supplied to families. Staff are currently working on a list.
All foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt will be sent home in the child’s morning tea box or lunch box. Staff will then send information to parents regarding the correct lunchbox requirements.
The service will ensure that parents are provided with information to help them to determine correct food sizes and proportions as well as strategies to help increase children’s interest in foods. The Goods For Kids Lunchbox Recommendations will be included in each Newsletter ( A different article).
The service will ensure that families of children on special diets provide specific details of foods needed as well as a report from their medical practitioner to verify their allergies or diet requirements.
FOOD THAT IS PROVIDED BY FAMILIES THAT DOES NOT MEET THE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE SENT HOME AND THE CHILD PROVIDED WITH AN APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVE. ( This alternative will be a bread source).
Staff will conduct formal lunch box auditing twice throughout the term to ensure that this policy is being upheld. Less formal auditing will be conducted on a daily basis( observation when we open products using gloves)
Girrinbai Community Preschool staff will provide educational programmes and activities to extend the children’s understanding of healthy foods and lifestyles.
Programmes will be available to parents. Parents ideas will be sought for activities.
Staff will practise safe food handling procedures by wearing gloves when handling all food products and drinking cups etc.
Staff will also ensure hand washing procedures are carried out by children and staff prior to handling food.
Staff will use their knowledge and training to understand eating patterns and behaviours of children.
Drinking water at outside play time.
What is a child’s serving size?
DAIRY SERVE :
Dairy products, tofu and calcium-added soy milk.
1 ‘child size’ serve = 1/2 cup milk (plain or flavoured)
1 tablespoon grated cheese,
1 slice processed cheddar,
1/3 cup yoghurt, 1/2 cup custard.
CEREAL-BASED SERVE:
Bread (all varieties including fruit bread), rice, pasta,
noodles, cracker biscuits (plain, unsalted crackers,
rice cakes, rice crackers), fruit buns, scones, pikelets,
muffins and crumpets. NOTE: NOODLES IN PACKETS NOT PERMITTED TOO SALTY
1 ‘child size’ serve = 1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup cereal, 1/2 cup cooked rice,
1/2 cup cooked pasta or 2 medium cracker biscuits.
FRUIT SERVE:
Fresh, canned or dried fruit but NOT juice.
1 ‘child size’ serve = 1/2 medium size piece of fruit (apple,
orange, banana) or 1 small piece
(apricot, plums).
VEGETABLES SERVE:
Raw or cooked vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned).
1 ‘child size’ serve = 1/4 cup vegetables or salad, 1/4 cup vegetable
Based sauce or 1/2 small potato.
MEAT SERVE:
GOOD IRON SOURCES ARE
Beef, lamb, veal, beef sausage.
MODERATE IRON SOURCES ARE
Pork, ham, fish, egg, chicken (breast, leg or chicken loaf), wholemeal
bread, dried fruit, legumes, Milo™, spinach, fortified breakfast cereals.
1 ‘child size’ serve = 1 slice meat, 1 egg, 1 slice wholemeal bread,
1/4 cup legumes, 11/2 tablespoons dried fruit
or 4 apricot halves, 2 teaspoons Milo™,
1 breakfast biscuit, 1/2 cup iron fortified cereal.
A wonderful web site to gain further information about serving sizes and children’s nutrition is http://www.goodforkids.nsw.gov.au/
This policy will be reviewed annually and updated when new information from Good for kids is received. Date__________________________________________
For children who utilise extended hours services in the afternoon.
The service will ensure that all children are provided with one main meal (lunch) and two snacks ( morning tea) and (afternoon tea).
The Staff and Parents will ensure that all children who are 3 years or older are provided with:
-1 child size serve of meat or meat alternatives.
-3-4child size serves of vegetables. ( 2 serves if under three years)
-1 child sized serve of fruit
- 3 child sized serves of dairy ( reduced fat milk suggested)
- at least 3-4 child serves of breads- cereals, rice, pasta or noodles. ( 2 serves if under three)
* Over the period of morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
* Staff will provide milk at morning tea and afternoon tea and water at lunch. Water will also be available at all times throughout the day.
The service will ensure that children whilst in care the children will be provided with milk ( reduced fat) and water only. Water will be available to children at all times.
During outside play time in warmer weather- jugs of water will be provided for the children to access fresh drinking water. Access to the bubbler is also available.
No sweetened drinks will be provided to children. ( fruit juice, cordial, soft drink or flavoured milk).
The service will ensure that children ARE NOT provided with foods high in salt, fat and sugar. A list of foods will be supplied to families.
All foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt will be sent home in the child’s morning tea box or lunch box. Staff will then send information to parents regarding the correct lunchbox requirements.
The service will ensure that parents are provided with information to help them to determine correct food sizes and proportions as well as strategies to help increase children’s interest in foods. The Goods For Kids Lunchbox Recommendations will be included in each Newsletter ( A different article).
The service will ensure that families of children on special diets provide specific details of foods needed as well as a report from their medical practitioner to verify their allergies or diet requirements. .
FOOD THAT IS PROVIDED BY FAMILIES THAT DOES NOT MEET THE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE SENT HOME AND THE CHILD PROVIDED WITH AN APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVE. ( This alternative will be a bread source).
Staff will conduct formal lunch box auditing twice throughout the term to ensure that this policy is being upheld. Less formal auditing will be conducted on a daily basis( observation when we open products using gloves)
Girrinbai Community Preschool staff will provide educational programmes and activities to extend the children’s understanding of healthy foods and lifestyles.
Programmes will be available to parents. Parents ideas will be sought for activities.
Staff will practise safe food handling procedures by wearing gloves when handling all food products and drinking cups etc.
Staff will also ensure hand washing procedures are carried out by children and staff prior to handling food.
Staff will use their knowledge and training to understand eating patterns and behaviours of children.
What is a child’s serving size?
DAIRY SERVE :
Dairy products, tofu and calcium-added soy milk.
1 ‘child size’ serve = 1/2 cup milk (plain or flavoured)
1 tablespoon grated cheese,
1 slice processed cheddar,
1/3 cup yoghurt, 1/2 cup custard.
CEREAL-BASED SERVE:
Bread (all varieties including fruit bread), rice, pasta,
noodles, cracker biscuits (plain, unsalted crackers,
rice cakes, rice crackers), fruit buns, scones, pikelets,
muffins and crumpets.
1 ‘child size’ serve = 1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup cereal, 1/2 cup cooked rice,
1/2 cup cooked pasta or 2 medium cracker biscuits.
FRUIT SERVE:
Fresh, canned or dried fruit but NOT juice.
1 ‘child size’ serve = 1/2 medium size piece of fruit (apple,
orange, banana) or 1 small piece
(apricot, plums).
VEGETABLES SERVE:
Raw or cooked vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned).
1 ‘child size’ serve = 1/4 cup vegetables or salad, 1/4 cup vegetable
Based sauce or 1/2 small potato.
MEAT SERVE:
GOOD IRON SOURCES ARE
Beef, lamb, veal, beef sausage.
MODERATE IRON SOURCES ARE
Pork, ham, fish, egg, chicken (breast, leg or chicken loaf), wholemeal
bread, dried fruit, legumes, Milo™, spinach, fortified breakfast cereals.
1 ‘child size’ serve = 1 slice meat, 1 egg, 1 slice wholemeal bread,
1/4 cup legumes, 11/2 tablespoons dried fruit
or 4 apricot halves, 2 teaspoons Milo™,
1 breakfast biscuit, 1/2 cup iron fortified cereal.
Please also refer to the handouts provided for further information.
A wonderful web site to gain further information about serving sizes and children’s nutrition is http:// www.goodforkids.nsw.gov.au/
This policy will be reviewed annually and updated when new information from Good for kids is received. Date__________________________________________
SOME FOOD PRODUCTS HIGH IN SALT, SUGAR OR FAT WHICH SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO PRESCHOOL INCLUDE:
Sweetened drinks include:
soft drinks, cordials, sports and energy drinks
fruit juice (although provides some vitamins it contains too much sugar)
Hot chips
Soft drinks
Biscuits, cakes, slices, muffins
Chocolate
Confectionary
Processed meats
Packaged cereal bars.
potato or other vegetables cooked in oil (eg potato chips, fries, gems, wedges, hash browns)
fruit juice, fruit straps, fruit bars/ sticks, rollups as they are high in sugar.
Following breakfast cereals.-Nutri-grain, Cornflakes, Special K, Coco Pops, Fruit Loops, and Frosties)
2 minute noodles; croissants or processed or high fat/ sugar cakes or biscuits.
The 'dairy group' should not include foods high in fat, salt or sugar such as flavoured milk, flavoured custard, ice cream, sour cream, cream, butter, dairy desserts or puddings.
The meat and meat alternative group does not include meat or alternatives that are high in fat, sugar or salt such as crumbed or battered meat, hamburger patties, processed meats (eg sausage, devon, cabanossi, chicken roll, pastrami, salami, bacon, frankfurters, pies or sausage rolls)
Particularly packaged snacks often eaten by children e.g. muesli bars, other cereal based bars).
These products have been listed by the Department of Health.
The general rule:
A food that is high in fat contains greater than 20g of fat per 100g and or greater than 5g of saturated fat per 100g.
A food that is high in sugars has greater than 15g of sugars per 100g.
A food that is high in salt contains greater than 600mg of sodium per 100 g.
Girrinbai Community Preschool recognises the importance of physical activity for young children. Implementation of appropriate physical activity practices in children’s services supports the health and development of children in care, as well as assisting in establishing positive lifestyle habits for the future.
Aim
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that children in care are supported and encouraged to engage in active play, develop fundamental movement skills and limit small screen recreation time in line with current recommendations.
The national physical activity recommendations for toddlers (1 to 3 years of age) and pre-schoolers (3 to 5 years of age) should be physically active every day for at least three hours, spread throughout the day. Infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers should not be sedentary, restrained or kept inactive for more than one hour at a time with the exception of sleeping.
Four children 2 to 5 years of age, sitting and watching television and the use of the other electronic media (DVDs, computer and other electronic games ) should be limited to less than one hour per day.
Strategies
1.Promote physical activity and skill development
The service will:
-Aim to ensure that Toddlers and pre-schoolers accumulate at least three hours of physical activity during their time in care.
-Ensure educators provide daily opportunities for both adult guided skill development activities and physical active free play indoors and outdoors.
-Insure educators provide daily opportunities for both adult guided skill development activities and physically active free play indoors and outdoors.
-Ensure educators role model enjoyed in active playtime.
-Ensure educators provide verbal props to provide children with encouragement and positive reinforcement to participate in active play.
-Adopt a participatory approach, emphasising fun and participation rather than competition.
-Ensure inclusive practices for all children including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those with special needs.
2.Provide physical activity based learning experiences four children both opportunistically and throughout the programme.
The service will:
-Ensure physical activity learning experiences are planned consistently throughout the programme and the curriculum.
-Ensure that educators routinely identify opportunities to engage children, educate and promote appropriate physical activity skills and active play.
-Discuss with children the role of small screen time in their lives and support them in making healthy choices about the use of small screen recreation for both education and recreation. Incorporate doing mini exercises as you work.
Limit small screen recreation and time children spend being sedentary.
The service will:
-Aim to minimise time that toddlers and pre-schoolers (aged 2 to 5 years) spend in small screen recreation during their time in care.
-Avoid children participating in small screen recreation during times when they can engage in more active pursuits.
-Aim to limit time children spend being seated or in active (other and during meal times or rest time) during their time in care.
1.Ensure all educators have appropriate knowledge and skills in the area of physical activity.
The service will:
-Develop a programme of regular physical activity education for primary contact staff.
-Include information on the physical activity policy as part of the educator’s orientation.
2.Provide a physical environment that promotes physical activity and skilled development.
The service will:
-Ensure that the indoor and outdoor physical environments provide adequate space and resources to facilitate active play and allow children to practice fundamental movement skills.
- Provide space, time and resources to support children to create their own opportunities for physical activity.
-Follow safety procedures and risk management strategies when implementing physical activity.
3.Ensure communication with families regarding physical activity, skill development and limiting small screen recreation.
The service will:
-Routinely consult and inform parents and carers of physical activity practices and policies when undergoing development for review.
-Communicate regularly with parents and provide information and advice on active play, fundamental movement skill development and limiting small screen recreation. For example newsletters, orientation days, information sessions and informal discussions
-Invite families to attend and participate in physical activity experiences with their children where appropriate.
4.Monitoring and review
The service will:
-Record and monitor children’s physical activity progress in part of routine observations of children’s developments. This will include time spent in active play sedentary activities and progress with fundamental movement skills.
-Review the physical activity policy periodically.