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Title: ‘NUTRITION MATTERS FOR THE EARLY YEARS’
Date: 1st December 2006
News Details:
Nutrition matters for the early years: healthy eating for the under fives in childcare is a resource developed by the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) in conjunction with NICMA - the Childminding Association. The publication has been produced for registered childminders to help them provide good nutrition for children in their care.
The document provides straightforward, practical advice and information on a range of nutrition related issues and in particular, advice on how to ensure a healthy diet is provided for babies and children in childcare. It includes information on a range of nutrition related issues including weaning, menu ideas and coping with fussy eaters and children with special dietary needs.
The original version has been revised to make it appropriate for childminders as well as nurseries and playgroups. It has also been updated to incorporate the latest DHSSPS guidelines on weaning.
Article 24. U.N. Convention on The Rights of the Child states that:
“Children have the right to be as healthy as possible, live and play in a safe, healthy unpolluted environment and benefit from preventative health care and education”
Childminders have a vital role to play in children’s health and nutrition and that is why NICMA is delighted that ‘Nutrition matters for the early years’ now addresses the needs of those 4000+ registered childminders right across Northern Ireland. Over 22,000 children aged between 0 – 14 years of age are cared for by childminders, often for long periods of the day and therefore they have a responsibility, both to the children they care for and to their parents, to ensure that children’s nutritional needs are met.
As part of NICMA’s Quality Childminding Charter, childminders are encouraged to discuss children’s dietary needs with parents and provide children with a healthy, balanced diet.
In terms of good childminding practice, childminders should endeavour to:
•Discuss and agree with the parents their nutrition policy, taking into account any cultural and religious practices of children’s families
•Involve the children in the preparing and serving of food where possible. Learning situations may arise, not just about nutrition, but also learning about hygiene, cultural differences etc. Social interaction whilst eating and drinking actively promotes the children’s enjoyment and their language and social skills.
•Mealtimes are a part of every childminders daily routine and childminders should encourage a pre-mealtime routine such as:
oToys/games etc… are packed away
oChildren visit the toilet and wash their hands
oA quiet activity such as a story may be implemented
oWhen children are old enough, they could help to lay the table, thus promoting mathematical skills. ie counting cutlery
•Childminders should sit together with the children to encourage good eating habits, conversation and social development.
To link to the Health Promotions web site where you can download a full copy of the report go back to the main news section and click on View News Source.
Contact Name: Bridget Nodder
Contact Number: 028 9181 1015
Email: bridgetnodder@nicma.org
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