Rationale:  To promote and encourage healthy eating and provide appropriate safe handling of food.  Aim:  To teach children about food and nutrition and to encourage good eating habits during the child’s early years.  To put in place procedures to ensure children are supervised when eating and that staff ensure food storage and food preparation is done appropriately.

Procedure: Information will be made available to parents on suitable food to pack for their child’s lunch.  Lunches need to be provided in an appropriate named container along with a named water bottle.  Water only will be served to children and will be made available to the children at all times.  Staff will check through child’s lunch box and refrigerate food that tends to go off in fridge set at 4ºC or below. Food that needs heating will be heated using the microwave. Food provided by the centre will be based on breads, fruits and vegetables and staff will record all food provided on the food record sheet located in the kitchen.  Special diets and allergies will be respected along with cultural choices.  We will advise parents and caregivers when children are not eating.  Hand washing is paramount for staff when preparing meals and assisting children during meal times. Gloves are provided for use when preparing and serving meals. Children will also follow the procedure of hand washing before and after meals.  Children will be encouraged to feed and help themselves during meal times to develop their self help skills.  A staff member will always be present when a child is eating.  Infants under the age of 6 months or children unable to drink independently are held when being fed. Infants 12mths and under will require parental permission for any food given.  Any infant milk food given to a child is approved by the child's parent. The allergies register is located on the fridge in the kitchen where staff will check when preparing meals.

Reference: Early Childhood Regulations 46 Criteria 46 HS19