30
NUTRITION
Creating an ECE environment where children’s nutrition is valued and promoted A summary of research on best policy and practice - By Sarah Gerritsen The first goal of the Wellbeing strand in Te
collected written policies and menus. Most
Whāriki is that “Children experience an
services that participated in the survey had a
Weak statements (using words such as
environment where their health is promoted”
written food and nutrition or hauora/wellness
may, can, could, should, might, encourage,
and yet we have found in our research
policy (82%) and two-thirds had written
suggest, some, partial, make an effort, and
that this can be particularly difficult when
nutritional guidelines for food brought from
try) can be difficult for staff or management
it comes to the promotion of nutrition
home (66%). However, the most common
to action (3).
and healthy eating. These quotes from
barrier to promoting nutrition was a lack of
participants of the 2014 Kai Time in ECE
support from families (21% of all services
survey show the diversity of opinion, the challenges and tensions early childhood educators can face: “Our biggest difficulty is educating the parents about healthy food.” “We have recognised that there is a need for better education for our parents in regards to healthy eating.” “We are continually reflecting on a kai culture that recognises all children as competent learners who can become more confident.” “It is parents’ responsibility to provide healthy options for their children.” “Many, many, many families simply don't 'get' food.”
reported this) and less than one in six services said ‘all’ of their families complied with their written nutrition guidelines (18%) (1).
Not many of the nutrition policies we analysed referred to the Ministry of Health’s Food and Nutrition Guidelines (4) which contain useful guidance on recommended number of servings per day from the four
Strongly worded, comprehensive policies and
food groups, variety across the week, and
nutrition guidelines create a culture of health
appropriate serving sizes for preschoolers.
promotion, where teachers and parents
Policies could also include directives for staff
alike are encouraged to reassess unhealthy
regarding best practice behaviour to promote
preferences and follow best practice to
healthy eating. Even in ECE services where
promote nutrition for the children in their
food is not provided, teachers and staff are
care (2). The 131 written policies we analysed
able to promote nutrition and encourage
were not particularly comprehensive (1).
healthy food preferences by following these
There were a large number of potential
practices that assist children to develop a
topics that nutrition policies could have been
healthy relationship with food:
included in the policies. We were looking
•
sitting and eating with children while they eat;
•
having discussions about food, including where food comes from and its positive effects on the body (e.g. growing strong and healthy, providing energy) and mind (e.g. fuel for the brain);
•
modeling healthy eating, and smart choices for food and drink, including at celebrations and fundraising events;
for statements covering nutrition education (for children, parents and staff), nutrition standards for food and beverages (served onsite or in lunchboxes, at celebrations,
Kai Time in ECE was an online survey of 257
fundraising), healthy eating promotion (the
managers or head teachers of education and
staff behaviours described below), physical
care centres, kindergartens, playcentres and
activity, health communication and evaluation.
kōhanga reo in Auckland, Counties Manukau
Strongly worded statements on these topics
and the Waikato. The survey asked questions
(using words such as shall, will, must,
about nutrition and activity practices, and
have to, insist, require, all, and total) are
September 2016
unambiguous and easy for staff to enforce.