GUMNUTS FOOD & NUTRITION POLICY

AIM – To build good eating habits in children and to provide a balanced diet of good wholesome food taking into account the needs of each individual child and the RDI set by the relevant regulations.

This centre will provide children in long day care with at least 50% of their daily recommended dietary intake of nutrients in the form of safe and appetising foods from the five food groups. ie. Bread/ Cereal-Meat and Meat Alternatives- Fruit/ Vegetables- Fats/ Oils.

IMPLEMENTATION:

1. Milk will be served daily, with low fat milk served to our 3-5 year olds.
2. All dairy products will be full cream and only soy milks that are fortified with calcium will be used as a substitute for cow's milk.
3. Menus will be planned using the nutrition checklist and department of health guidelines. At least one week of menus will be on display in the foyers for information for parents and staff.
4. Drinking water will be available at all times for all age groups of children. We will offer water to drink in preference to fruit juices.
5. Children are able to have access to snacks if they are hungry between meals.
6. If children have not eaten their main meal, they may still receive second course.
7. Parents will be advised when the child is not eating well.
8. When the children are on special diets the parents will be asked to provide a copy of the diet from the dietitian.
9. Children will wash their hands before handling food or eating nutritious meals.
10. Food will be stored and served at safe temperatures – with check recorded daily.
11. Staff will adhere to good hygiene practices when handling food eg. wear gloves, use tongs, wash hands, hair tied back.
12. Children will not share food, plates, utensils or cups.
13. Meals are prepared by appropriately qualified cooks. All necessary hygienic precautions are taken in the provision of the meals.
14. The menu will reflect the children's cultural backgrounds.

Staff members will sit with the children at meal times and eat the same food. Food will not be used as a form of punishment whether by it's provision or denial. Engadine Gumnuts provides utensils & furniture that is age appropriate in shape & size which encourages independent eating skills.

Special occasions may be celebrated with culturally appropriate foods. Parents are encouraged to help develop the children’s knowledge of foods eaten by different cultures by sharing the traditions of their food and by joining in festival days and sharing favourite recipes for food tasting.

All staff involved in any form of food preparation will attend a Safe food handling Course. Parents input into our menu planning is encouraged through the enrolment form and the July newsletter and is appreciated at any other time during the year.

THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF LONG DAY CARE CENTRES IN INFANT FEEDING

Children can depend on our centre for a large part of their nutrition each day, and we therefore support the healthy development of infants in our care by adopting the recommended infant feeding practices.

FLUIDS FOR UNDER 12 MONTHS OLD

1. Breastfeeding is recommended until 6 months. Gumnuts support and encourages breastfeeding up until 12 months of age.
2. Formula is to be given up to 12 months of age, if the infant is not receiving breastmilk.
3. Water can be introduced into the diet of a 6 month old. Tap water is best, introduced in a cup.
4. Birth to 6 months – Demand-fed, do not require extra fluids.
5. 6-8 months old – Decrease the amount of fluid as the amount of food eaten increases.
6. 8-12months old – Give fluids after food.
7. 12 months and on - Full cream milk may replace breastmilk/formula, using a cup, not a bottle.
8. Drinks NOT recommended before 12 months of age include: cows milk, soy drink, rice drinks, goats milk etc.
9. Fruit juices are not needed by infants.
10. Store bottles in the coldest part of the fridge at the back, not in the door.

FOODS FOR INFANTS

• 6 months - Solid are to be introduced, soft and easily digested first, including mashed vegetables, mashed fruits, well cooked rice or rice cereal.
• NEXT: minced, stewed or grated meat, fish, legumes, pasta and bread.
• 8 months – all fruits and vegetables, including salad; cereals, including breads, rice, pasta and noodles.
• NEXT: try cheese, custard and yoghurt and cooked egg.
• 12 months – children can have regular child care centre meals at this stage.
• FOOD TEXTURES: 6-7 Months – Pureed texture, 7-9 months – finely mashed to mashed with small lumps, 9-12 months – coarsely mashed foods with lumps.
• To help infants develop, it is essential to change the texture of foods between 6 to 12 months of age.

FOOD INTOLERANCES AND ALLERGIES

Food intolerances are caused by the irritant effects of certain food substances. These can be natural food components, or they can be additives. Unlike allergies, food intolerances are rarely serious or life threatening.

Symptoms: irritable, hyperactive or erratic behaviour; sleep disturbance; upset stomach; loose motions; feeling sick; skin rashes; blocked nose; and fussy eating.

There is no single “right” diet for children with food intolerances. Once a child’s intolerances are correctly identified, management involves a reduction in daily intake of the offending chemicals. Specific dietary change may be simple, or they may involve extensive modification of the child’s entire diet.

Staff responsibilities:

1. Know which children are at risk through room/kitchen charts
2. Take notes from specialist and place on file
3. Only offer the child food that has been checked, approved by the parents and cook
4. Cook to document all foods consumed by the child daily via a diary for the parents