Arthurlie Family Centre
Eating for Health Policy
Rationale
It is very important that within our establishment those who educate and
care for our children and those who provide food work together with a
shared understanding of the importance of Healthy Eating outlined in the
Scottish Executive’s publication “Nutritional Guidance for Early Years”
(2005) :
“A varied nutritious diet and regular physical activity is fundamental for
proper growth and development in young children…it can help children and
young people improve their concentration, growth and support their learning.
A good diet in childhood can reduce the risk of ill health in later life.”
Aims
The foundation for good health begins in early childhood and we aim to
establish good food habits which encourage children to choose food which is
low in fat and sugar, eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day and
have wholegrain foods incorporated into their daily diets resulting in
improved health throughout life.
Our programme in Healthy Eating is delivered through the curriculum and
through social exchanges at snack and lunch time and fosters the following
aims :
To actively promote eating for health in line with current national
guidelines
To provide a curriculum which educates children in making informed
food choices
To facilitate a multi-disciplinary approach with a range of
stakeholders within our establishment
To promote awareness of healthy eating and the importance of diet
and nutrition within the wider community, including parents.
Through celebration of cultural festivals, tasting sessions exploring the
senses and activities promoting healthy food choices, children are
encouraged to try a wide variety of different foods, in addition to those
provided at snack and lunch times. Children are encouraged to experiment
and accept different tastes and textures.
Snack and meal times are social occasions when children and adults can sit
together to learn good social skills and behaviours associated with eating and
drinking. Adults and peers can act as role models at these times, reinforcing
the right messages.
Parents
Parents are made aware of our healthy eating policy in the nursery handbook
and website. We actively promote healthy lunchboxes for those children
eating a packed lunch in nursery through our healthy pledge.
Parents are generally very supportive of our healthy pledge and children are
always encouraged to fill up on sandwiches, fruit or yoghurt before eating
any other items in their lunch box.
Date : January 2008 Review : January 2011
(See also guidance on lunchtime and snack procedures.)