Why does healthy eating matter for children in childcare?

Children need to eat the right balance of energy and nutrients for healthy growth and development, to achieve a healthy weight and protect against certain diseases. To help children develop patterns of healthy eating from an early age, it is important that the food and eating patterns to which they are exposed (both at home and outside the home) are those that promote positive attitudes and enjoyment of good food. The childcare setting can play an important part in this, by providing quality and nutritious food for children in their care.

Providing young children with a healthy balanced diet and tooth friendly drinks is essential to:

• Ensure they get the right amount of energy and nutrients during a time of rapid growth and development
• Encourage children to eat a wide variety of foods, because habits adopted at an early age are more likely to be taken into later childhood and adult life
• Influence food preferences at a time when children begin to have a decisive say in food selection
• Develop and maintain a healthy weight
• Help reduce the risk of tooth decay
• Help prevent iron deficiency
• Promote bowel health and reduce the risk of constipation

Did you know...that children attending full day care need around 90% of their recommended energy and nutrients from the food and drink offered by the childcare provider. It is therefore important that these settings provide a range of nutritious foods in the right amount.

For more information and top tips about healthy eating for children aged 1 – 4 years visit the our Best Start Hub.