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 launched today.
Photos from the
launch, and further information are available.
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 today by the School Food Trust.
Our 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 for us, 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."
Children's Minister Sarah Teather said: "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, 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."
Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of the National Day
Nurseries Association (NDNA), said: "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, also
launched today, 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 pre-ordered in hard copy.
Photos from the
launch, and further information are available.