When selecting or evaluating a daycare center it is important to consider its overall nutrition program, its nutrition education program, and its mealtime environment.
According to Susan Leger-Ferraro, Little Sprouts founder and CEO, nutrition programs and mealtime environments are critical aspects to consider when selecting daycare for children.
“Research proves that balanced nutrition influences children’s moods, as well as the ability to participate and concentrate,” Leger-Ferraro says.
With respect to evaluating nutrition programs and mealtime environments in daycare/childcare programs, be sure to look for the following:
Nutrition education programs
Juliet Zuercher, registered dietitian and the Director of Nutrition Services at Remuda Programs for Eating Disorders, suggests that parents look for a program that offers nutrition education where daycare providers take a relaxed, neutral approach toward food. Zuercher adds, “In daycare, the nutrition program is best where a variety of foods are offered in a relaxed environment where some emphasis is put on proper eating but not so much so that it creates anxiety and shame for children”.
Zuercher also recommends that parents look for programs that encourage diversity in eating styles, amounts and frequency as well as ones that celebrate diversity in body sizes, colors and shapes.
Mealtime environment
The mealtime environment is equally important as the foods being served. According to Zuercher, “A good meal time environment is one in which the caregiver has taken the time to provide tasty, nutritious foods and the child is given the freedom to explore and experience eating without pressure”.
It is important to look for mealtime environments in which the child care provider/teacher sits with the children during meals and snacks.
Leger-Ferraro says, “Mealtimes should be a time for teachers and children to share dialogue that builds oral language. Discussions should be centered around recalling children’s work time, play experiences and a variety of topics. Teachers should be eating and engaged with children”.
Meal plans
First things first, meals should be age appropriate, says Ann Cooper, Director of Nutrition Services for Berkeley Unified School District in California and author of Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children.
Zuercher suggests parents look for meal plans that are colorful and simple. “For most children, new foods must be introduced sometimes 10-15 times in order for a child to accept them”, says Zuercher. “Although reasonable variety is essential for meeting nutrient needs, keep the foods repetitive enough so that the child feels safe with the predictability of familiar foods”.
Ask the director about the type of ingredients they use in their meals. Cooper (Chef Ann) suggests that parents look for meal plans without trans-fat and high fructose corn sugar and that include little to no refined sugars and flours. Cooper also says to look for meal plans that focus on whole foods and include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Cooper adds, “Real food makes for healthy kids”.
Leger-Ferraro suggests that that meal planning and scheduling should be based on the Department of Education’s guidelines. Also, parents should request a copy of the daycare center’s meal plans and make sure that meals/snacks are offered at least every three hours.
In short, good nutrition in daycare means balance, variety, and moderation in a relaxed environment that allows for interaction.
See my related article: Nutrition Activities for Daycare.
