Burnie City Council’s Children’s Services Unit has introduced a program promoting healthy eating habits for children under five attending childcare. The city has three centres catering for some 300 children every week. A range of strategies developed by the Unit promote, educate and implement healthy eating options for families; and facilitate children in developing an understanding of food and nutrition, both in the food they bring from home and also that which is provided by the service.
Family and Community Services Manager, Tracey Bradley, said the program supports and recognises the importance of the early years in providing a sound foundation for life long eating habits.
“Young children are just commencing to eat and parents are in the primary care role to ensure they develop healthy habits,” she said. “The services work with families to identify what constitutes healthy eating through the provision of information and subtle education about this topic. All cultural, family and religious preferences are also taken into consideration.”
The new programs ensure that meals provided by the centres meet 50 per cent of children’s daily nutritional requirements. A breakfast program has also been introduced in response to an increasing number of children arriving at the centre with takeaway breakfasts or muesli bars.
To reinforce the importance of a good healthy breakfast to start off the day, staff members now sit with children and enjoy cereal, toast and milk provided at a minimal cost to parents.
Tracey Bradley said there has already been an improvement in the meals provided for children from home.
“Children bringing takeaway breakfast has stopped and many children now have breakfast provided by the centre,” she said. “Children have an increased understanding of healthy food and participate regularly in activities and experiences that deepen this understanding.”
Family requests have led to the provision of cooked meals expanding to cover other childcare services.
A food and nutrition booklet is now given to all families upon enrolment at one of Council’s services. Health information also continues to be distributed through a monthly newsletter including healthy options for convenience foods and lunch box ideas.
For further information contact Tracey Bradley on (03) 6430 5781.
