Children in their first five years of life develop rapidly and require a nutritious and safe diet for their healthy growth.

Menus at centres:

• Are made up of a variety of food types and reflect the community demographic.
• Use local and seasonal produce and avoid using processed foods, including foods with preservatives and additives.
• Provide foods containing calcium and iron, and that are low in salt.
• Include moderate amounts of sugars and foods containing sugars or artificial sweeteners.
• Promote drinking water. 
• Provide milk and/or water at each meal, including breakfast, morning and afternoon tea.
• Ensure snacks such as fresh fruit, raw vegetables, bread and crackers are available between meals.

Allergies

• SDN will provide a safe environment and ensure all necessary steps are taken to protect children with allergies. Where necessary menus will be changed to make sure children are safe and can participate in meal times.
• All SDN child care centres are nut free and where necessary egg free.
• SDN staff will follow and implement medical action plans and make sure all staff know about these.
• Staff are trained to identify allergic reactions in children, and respond to these.

For centres where food is provided, SDN staff will: 

• Provide food and nutrition education according to the ‘Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia’ (2003) and National Infant Feeding Guidelines, state regulations and recognised food safety principles.
• Provide food that takes into account children’s age, cultural backgrounds, religious or medical requirements.
• Ensure that children who are at the centre for more than eight hours are provided with at least 50% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of nutrients essential for growth and development.
• Provide food  that is consistent with The Food Act 2003, and the Healthy Eating Pyramid.
• Talk to families and children about their children’s eating preferences.
• Create an atmosphere at meal times that is safe, relaxed and happy. Staff often use mealtimes as a learning opportunity, where children are encouraged to talk and socialise.
• Encourage staff to sit and eat with children at meal times, promoting healthy eating patterns and positive attitudes to food.

When providing education about nutrition, staff will:

• Provide education to promote healthy eating and safe eating practices. This is provided in relevant community languages when needed.
• Ensure staff learn about safe eating practices and understand the eating preferences of children. 
• Use meal times as a chance to talk about food, nutrition and good eating habits with children. 
• Ensure centre cooks have appropriate certificates in menu planning, food safety and hygiene.