Newbies Healthy Food Policy
RATIONALE
Newbies promotes healthy eating messages to children, parents, whānau and centre teachers. Newbies has an obligation to present safe and nutritionally healthy food.
TE WHĀRIKI
Well-being - Goal 1. Children experience an environment where their health is promoted.
PROCEDURES
Newbies promotes healthy eating messages to children, parents, whānau and centre teachers. Newbies has an obligation to present safe and nutritionally healthy food.
TE WHĀRIKI
Well-being - Goal 1. Children experience an environment where their health is promoted.
PROCEDURES
- Newbies employs a cook to prepare and serve nutritional meals during the day.
- All cuts and sores will be covered with plasters when preparing food and disposable gloves will be worn.
- All meals and snacks meet New Zealand Ministry of Health guidelines and the Food & Beverage Classification System. The menu will include at least fifty percent of the recommended serves from the four main food groups each day. Menus are approved by the Heart Foundation Healthy Heart Award Programme.
- Cooks will not prepare food if they are ill with vomiting or diarrhoea and will not return to the centre until 48 hours after the last symptoms occurred.
- All cooks will adhere to the food health and safety procedures as outlined in the Early Childhood Regulations
- Kitchen and cooking facilities are designed to prevent children’s unsupervised access.
- The menu rotates on a weekly basis (a copy of the menu is available for parents) to ensure children who only attend two-three days per week receive a variety of meals.
- Allergies, food intolerances and special dietary requirements will be a shared responsibility of the child’s family and centre. If a child’s allergy is life threatening a management plan will be in place to ensure all staff knows emergency protocols.
- A record of all meals served at Newbies is kept and written on the blackboard each day for parents quick reference.
- Foods high in fat, sodium or sugar content are kept to a minimum including any foods brought from home.
- All meals are cooked fresh on the premises each day.
- Hand washing and general hygiene routines are observed when adults and children at Newbies are handling food.
- All hand washing procedures will be displayed in children’s bathrooms and in the kitchen.
- Hand washing facilities are located for children to access safely and independently. Soap and hand drying materials are made readily available.
- Sterile dish washing facilities ensure eating utensils are cleaned thoroughly.
- Water is always available to children. Children are discouraged from sharing cups and bottles.
- Breast feeding is encouraged and supported. Mothers are welcome anytime to breast feed at the centre and expressed milk can be stored safely in the refrigerator or freezer and heated when required.
- Food celebrations will be considered positive and social events in the centre’s. A celebration cake may be provided from home or by arrangement with the centre cook. All other foods served will meet the Food & Beverage Classification System.
- If food is refused encouragement is offered, if food is still refused, it is either offered later when they are hungry or a sandwich or equal alternative will be offered. Children are empowered by having control over their food intake, by allowing self choice and self service at mealtimes (when practical).
- Mealtimes will be a pleasurable and unhurried time together. Children sit in small groups for meals and are responsible for taking out their plates and cups when they are finished.
- Parents will be consulted on any major decisions regarding the food served at Newbies.
- Parents are asked to comment on the menu in our annual parent questionnaire.
Sources
- The New Zealand Ministry of Health guidelines ‘Eating for healthy babies/toddlers/children.’
- National Heart Foundation
- The Nutritional guidelines for under fives
- The Food & Beverage Classification System for ECE services.
- The Early Childhood Regulations