Nutrition and Healthy Eating

Rest and Relaxation

Our Glen Education kindergartens provide a positive and nurturing environment for all children. This includes recognising that children have different requirements for relaxation and rest, and being responsive to those needs to ensure that children feel safe and secure. 

Educators consult with families about their child’s individual relaxation and rest requirements, and ensure that adequate supervision is maintained while children are sleeping, resting or relaxing.  Children have many opportunities to rest and relax during session times in quiet spaces of the program.

Nutrition

There are many benefits to promoting healthy lifestyle in early childhood education and care settings. Being made aware of positive eating behaviour and the importance of physical activity from an early age can instill good habits that will remain throughout a person’s life. Educators are well placed to build this awareness among children and their families, while respecting lifestyle choices, and cultural and religious values. 

Glen Education is Committed to:

• promoting nutritious food and eating habits that will contribute to healthy growth and development in children.
   
• providing a safe, supportive and social environment in which children can enjoy eating.
   
• consulting and working collaboratively with families in regard to their child’s nutrition and dietary requirements, including responding appropriately to food allergies and recognising cultural and religious practices, and lifestyle choices.
   
• ensuring that food and drink items provided by the service are consistent with national and state guidelines and recommendations.
   
• providing children and families with opportunities to learn about food, nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
   
• ensuring adequate health and hygiene procedures, including safe practices for handling, preparing, storing and serving food.
   
• encouraging physical activity by providing a range of active play experiences for all children at the service.

Healthy Eating at Kindergarten

To promote healthy nutritious habits for lunch, and in keeping with our nutrition policy, please include healthy eating options such as: 

• Sandwiches/wrap/roll
• Fruit
• Cheese
• Dry biscuits
• Cherry tomatoes
• Celery
• Carrot sticks with dip
• Sushi
• Muffins/Raisin bread
• Dumplings

We strongly encourage families not to provide ‘sometimes food’ such as potato chips, chocolates, lollie's or soft drinks. 

Please provide water only in your child’s water bottle.

Please advise the educators if your child has any allergies, intolerances or food /drink reactions.  Food is brought from home and will not be shared between children ensuring any special requirements are met.  If the children participate in cooking or other activities with food available, educators will consult with parents of children with allergies/intolerances and noted dietary restrictions, to ensure all children can participate fully and safely.

What Does a Healthy Lunchbox Contain

A healthy lunch has four components:

1. Main item, such as a sandwich, pasta, soup
2. Fruit or vegetable snack, such as whole fruit, veggie sticks, a small salad
3. Second snack, based on a core food, such as reduced fat yoghurt, grainy crackers, a wholemeal fruit muffin
4. Drink, tap water is best