HealthyEatingPolicy-ACECQA-NCAC.docVIP

Service name Healthy Eating Policy Please note: Some services may provide meals and snacks for children as part of weekly, daily or sessional child care provision and fee structure; while in other services families provide for the nutritional requirements of their child. Some services may only provide morning and afternoon tea snacks, while others may include breakfast and/or evening meals in their menu plans. The NCAC Healthy Eating Policy Template does not endorse a specific nutritional program or mealtime routine; rather it broadly identifies the nutritional requirements for children sourced from recognised authorities. The policy should reflect the service’s daily practices and the needs of stakeholders in accordance with current recommendations. Policy Number number Link to CCQA Principles Family Day Care Quality Assurance (FDCQA) Quality Practices Guide (2004) – Principle 4.2 Outside School Hours Care Quality Assurance (OSHCQA) Quality Practices Guide (2003) – Principle 6.1 Quality Improvement and Accreditation System (QIAS) Quality Practices Guide (2005) – Principle 6.1 Policy statement The Healthy Eating Policy reflects the following concepts, to: support breastfeeding. If a child is not breastfeeding, support appropriate formula/bottle feeding strategies; promote a child’s normal growth and development; promote appropriate food choices and physical activity; and regularly review children’s physical growth. (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2003) The service plays an important role in meeting the nutritional needs of children while in care. For example, the Start Right Eat Right program suggests children who attend a full day of long day care should be offered at least 50% of their recommended daily dietary intake while in care (South Australian Child Care Nutrition Partnership, 2005). Family day care and outside school hours services should outline how they can provide or encourage the national nutritional recommendations. The Healthy E