3 Signs That a Childcare Centre Values Healthy Eating
Are you worried about how, when and what your child will eat while at childcare? If so, you're not alone. Healthy eating is one of the major concerns many parents have when choosing a childcare centre. If you're focused on providing a well-balanced and nutritious diet at home, you won't want to choose a childcare facility that encourages unhealthy eating habits. But how can you know whether a childcare centre really values a healthy diet as much as your family does? Here are 3 things to look out for or ask about when you visit prospective childcarers.
Scheduled Snack Times
One of the first things you should look at when assessing a childcare centre's commitment to healthy eating is their daily schedule. Are there set times throughout the day for snacking, or are children allowed to snack whenever they want? Snacking is important for many young children, helping to keep their energy and enthusiasm up throughout the day, but it's not healthy for your little one to snack whenever they want to. Unplanned snacking encourages overeating and can prevent a child from finishing their main, healthy meals. That's why you should choose a childcare facility with set snack times on the daily schedule. Ideally, there should be one between breakfast and lunch and another between lunch and the afternoon or evening meal.
A Varied Menu
When looking at a childcare facility's menu, foods like cookies, lollies, soda and fried meals are all obvious red flags. However, another red flag that many parents don't notice is a static, unchanging menu—especially one filled only with typical healthy foods such as standard vegetables and meat as the only protein option. The best way to ensure a child will have a healthy outlook on food in the future is to feed them a variety of different foods at a young age. Look for a childcare centre with a menu that includes many different meals throughout the week. This menu should also include new foods your child may not normally eat (such as vegetables like bok choy or celery) as well as variety within food groups (such as occasional piece of fish or eggs for protein).
Hands-On Cooking Experience
While hands-on cooking experience may not be possible in all childcare settings, it's one of the best ways for children to develop healthy eating habits, and it shows that a facility has a true commitment to your child's dietary development. Children are much more likely to try and enjoy new, healthy foods if they're involved in making it. There are plenty of ways for children to do this safely in childcare—sprinkling cheese on a homemade pizza, for example, or helping to measure out ingredients. Even if your prospective childcare centre can't providing cooking instruction, there are other ways they can allow your child to have input in their meals. Offering a menu with multiple choices and letting children fill their own plates are two great hands-on food activities.
Contact childcare facilities in your area to learn more.