Food and Health Guidelines - Torfaen Family Information Service
Food and Health Guidelines - Torfaen Family Information Service
Food and Health Guidelines - Torfaen Family Information Service
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8. Developing a <strong>Health</strong>y Eating Policy<br />
Advantages of<br />
having a <strong>Health</strong>y<br />
Eating Policy<br />
A successful healthy eating policy is one that<br />
is written in consultation with the parents as<br />
well as listening to the children in your care.<br />
It is vital to include some parents in the group<br />
developing the policy as together you have<br />
the potential to influence the eating habits<br />
of your children. Good communication is<br />
the key to ensuring that your written policy is<br />
endorsed by all, including staff, children <strong>and</strong><br />
their parents.<br />
As a childcare setting you may well have<br />
a lot of ‘unwritten’ rules about food <strong>and</strong><br />
eating, <strong>and</strong> formulating them into a written<br />
policy ensures that everyone has a chance to<br />
agree these ideas. In addition, they provide<br />
information to new parents about your<br />
approach to healthy eating.<br />
Another advantage of having a written<br />
policy is that it helps to ensure that the food<br />
sent with the children by their parents to<br />
the Early Years setting complies with your<br />
healthy eating policy as the manager is<br />
responsible for all the food eaten within the<br />
Early Years setting.<br />
Monitor the policy regularly <strong>and</strong> address<br />
any aspects that are not being adhered to.<br />
When the policy is written, provide a copy for<br />
all parents <strong>and</strong> staff. Give new parents <strong>and</strong><br />
new staff a copy when they start <strong>and</strong> explain<br />
how the policy relates to them.<br />
Factors to consider when writing<br />
a policy<br />
• How you will communicate the policy<br />
<strong>and</strong> work in partnership with parents?<br />
• Types of food <strong>and</strong> drink you will provide.<br />
• How you will encourage eating well?<br />
• How you will deal with problem eaters?<br />
• What food can parents bring from<br />
home?<br />
• How you will celebrate special events?<br />
• How you will encourage active play?<br />
• How you will ensure food safety?<br />
• How will staff be trained <strong>and</strong> updated?<br />
• How you will care for the environment<br />
e.g. waste, sourcing local food?<br />
How to involve parents<br />
<strong>and</strong> carers<br />
• make menus available to parents<br />
• ensure all staff are willing to work with<br />
the policy<br />
• provision of training as to ensure staff<br />
are confident in implementing the policy.<br />
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