Booklet Covering the

Dietary Guidelines
for Babies &Young
Children

User: Hafeezan Bibi

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Contents

Display the current dietary guidance for babies and young children?

Early Years Foundations Stage (EYFS) 2

Eat well guide (2- 5years) 3-6

Change4Life
7

NHS-A 5-DAY Campaign 7

Sharing Information with parents/carers on healthy, balanced diets; looking after teeth
and being physically active

On healthy & balanced diet 8

Regarding oral health and looking after teeth 8

On being physically active 9

Explain how to encourage babies and young children to eat healthy balanced meals, snacks,
and drinks appropriate to their age
10

Describe basic food safety when providing food and drink to babies and young children
11-12

References 13
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Display the current dietary guidance for babies and young children?
Healthy diet and food is really important not only for babies but also for young children
therefore, childcare providers should keep an eye on what a child is eating or drinking
throughout the day. A large number of vital nutrients must be included in children diet. An
appropriate diet and approach to food issues can be very helpful in preventing many health and
development related problems including obesity in children. According to the Early Years
Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidelines, the early year’s providers and carers are instructed to
ensure that children are given healthy and balanced foods and drinks. EYFS encourages parents
and caregivers to promote children for eating well and know about food from their early years;
it does not only protect a child’s health in his/her foundation years but also gives strong footing
for future well-being. Moreover, The EYFS declares that “Where children are offered with
meals, snacks and drinks, they must be healthy, balanced and nutritious. Before a child is
admitted to the setting the provider must also obtain information about any special dietary
requirements, preferences and food allergies that the child has, and any special health
requirements. Fresh drinking water must be available and accessible at all times. Providers
must record and act on information from parents and carers about a child's dietary needs.”
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The Eat Well Guide- tells us how much an individual should eat and how much percentage of
nutrients be included in diet to claim for a balance and healthy diet. This guide focuses on the
dietary requirements of children from age 2 years to adults.

According to this guide, children and adults should eat 5 portions of food comprising of
different fruit and vegetables throughout the day. The liquid content of fruit juices of
smoothies should not exceed the combined total of 150ml a day. Fruit and vegetables are
excellent sources of fibre, vitamins, and minerals.

 Starchy foods such as rice, potatoes, yams, cereals, past, bread, or even
chapattis provide for main sources of energy but their intake needed to
be checked. Starchy food should make a third of total what children eat a
day. Therefore, high-fibre whole grain verities such as whole-wheat
pasta, brown rice or potatoes with skin should be added to children’ diet.
Starchy foods keep children full of plenty of time and provide energy for
day-long activities. Children must be given 4 portions of starchy food
each day.
 Milk and dairy products such as yoghurt, cheese or soya drinks provide
proteins and some vitamins; they are also excellent source of calcium to
support healthy development of teeth and bones in children. Fats in milk
provide for calories in younger children but for older children, it is
essential to go for low-fat milk to avoid getting overweight. It is directed
that younger children up-to first six months of age should only be given
breastfeeding. Cow milk should be avoided up-till the age of 1; it can be
given in the form of rice puddings, milk custard etc. after the age of 2,
children can be introduced to semi-skimmed milk. Children between the
age 1 and 3 need to have 350mg of calcium a day. Milk should be given
to children 3 portions each day.
 The quantity of cheese must be checked when giving to children of any
age as cheese is mostly fattening and high in salt content yet cheese
provide for calcium, protein and vitamins especially vitamin A. Babies can
eat pasteurised full-fat cheese from the age of 6 months; after that they
can have low-fat cheese under strict calorie count.
 Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins are good sources of
protein and are essential for body’s growth and development. Meat is a
good source of protein, vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc and
B vitamins. It's also one of the main sources of vitamin B12. Eggs and fish
are also good sources of protein, and contain many vitamins and
minerals. Oily fish is particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Pulses,
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including beans, peas and lentils, are naturally very low in fat and high in
fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. Children must be given 2 potions of
beans, pulses, fish, eggs and meat each day.
 Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the
blood, which increases your risk of developing heart disease. Regularly
consuming foods and drinks high in sugar increases your risk of obesity
and tooth decay.
 Drinks- Children should be presented 6-8 beakers or glasses of liquid per
day, where a serving of fluid for undeveloped children would measure
between 100- 150mls. Fizzy drinks and squashes contain large amounts
of added sugar and contribute to tooth decay and obesity. Caffeine
comprising carbonated drinks (e.g. cola, energy drinks) can affect sleep
timings of children.

Food Examples Main Recommended Significance

Groups of Nutrients Serving for children
foods Provided
included
Bread, Four portions each Carbohydrates
potatoes, day are broken into
sweet simple sugar
potatoes, compounds by
rice, the body; this
noodles, sugar is used by
pasta, the body’s cells
breakfast for energy for
Carbohydrates cereals, Carbohydrates, Provide a portion carrying out
some Fiber, Vitamin as a part of every different
starchy B and Iron activities
meal (breakfast,
vegetables throughout the
lunch, tea and at
day. Brain cells
least one snack)
also use these
sugars as initial
energy source;
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therefore
carbohydrates
are important
for children
Fruit and Five portions each Fruit and
vegetables day vegetables
provide a boost
in metabolism
and immune
system; help in
Vitamins A& C All Fresh, Vitamins, Zinc, Provide a portion preventing
Zinc, Iron & frozen Iron, Folic Acid as a part of every infection, help
Fiber canned, & & essential meal (breakfast, in keeping
dried fruits fibers lunch, tea and at appetite check
and least one snack) and also
vegetables prevents the
risk of some
type of cancer,
eye and
digestive
problems etc.

This group
provides
children with
protein which
is extremely
important for
muscle
development;
Protein, Iron, Meat, fish, Protein, Iron, Two portions each thereby eating
Omega3 fatty pulses, Omega3 fatty day protein either
acids beans, eggs, acids, vitamin in the form of
and meat A&D meat, eggs or
alternatives pulses is really
important.
Children who
do not eat
adequate
protein are
lacing in
physical as well
as cognitive
abilities.
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Calcium, Dairy & Calcium, Three portions Milk and milk

potassium, alternative; potassium, each day provided products are
Vitamin D & fine sources Vitamin B12, as parts of meals, great source of
B12, of this Magnesium, snacks, and drinks calcium which
Magnesium, group are thiamine & is a useful for
thiamine & milk, protein bone
protein cheese, strengthening
yoghurt, in children; It is
custard or great for
pudding hardening and
made from strengthening
milk of outer shell
of teeth called
enamel in
order to
protect from
cavities and
erosion.
Table showing distinct food groups for healthy eating of children
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 Change4Life campaign talks about cutting down nutrients and modes through with
children get obese such as cutting on sugary foods. Eating and drinking too much sugar
causes fat to build up in the body which can lead to heart diseases, some type of cancer
or type-II Diabetes in children especially. Moreover, sugar intake has a direct effect on
dental health; 28% of five years old in the UK go through tooth decay or 4-5 teeth
affected due to more sugar-based diet. Therefore, this Change4Life campaign suggests
parents, childcare carers as well as teachers at schools to swap sugary foods with some
healthy low-sugar foods such as sugary cereal for plain cereal; from sugary drinks to no-
sugar drinks, from ice-cream to lo-fat yoghurt etc.
 NHS-A 5-DAY Campaign- it emphasises on eating meals comprising of five portions of
fruit and vegetables as they are rich in fibre, minerals, vitamins. Therefore, for healthy
and balanced eating habits in children; their every meal in the day must contain fruits or
vegetables either in the form of cooked vegetables, raw/cut fruits or fresh juices. These
fruits and vegetables should make up-to five portions a day. This technique will benefit
children to have essential fibres and nutrients for the body functioning as well as
extremely essential for fighting metabolic problems as well as constipation in children.

Sharing Information with parents/carers on healthy, balanced diets; looking

after teeth and being physically active
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Sharing information between families and Early Years providers is extremely important to
ensure healthy eating habits among children. Therefore there are certain pathways through
which care-providers and parents can be on the same page concerning a child’s healthy and
balanced diet.

On healthy & balanced diets

 Advising parents on being a role-model for their child
 Asking parents to shop more fruit and vegetables instead of snacks and taking their child
with them when they are shopping especially grocery
 Ensuring family mealtimes regularly at home without any gadget including TV will also
help the child to focus more on food as well as it’d enhance the family bonding
 Advising parents and carers on asking children to try themselves so they would learn to
serve according to their appetite
 Involving parents in menu planning and sharing a cook-book with them
 Sharing and advising on sample lists of snacks or pictures of their children doing food
related activities
 Asking and sharing stories or family traditions(if any) with parents to develop a bond of
children with certain food options and providing regular feedback on their child’s eating
routine or mood swings if they are being crank or allergic to certain food

Regarding oral health and looking after teeth

It is really great to advice parents and caregivers on child’s habits of looking after teeth through:

 Making sure that the child has their own soft toothbrush
 To make it more receptive printing the child’s name on it can be a good idea ; their
toothbrush should not last more than three months as it affect child’s soft gums
 Taking child with you when buying him/her a tooth brush , washing hands before and
after brushing teeth; the same goes for childcare workers to wash hands before helping
each child with brushing teeth
 Helping children to squeeze pea-sized toothpaste and not to pour excess water while
brushing
 Talking and advising children regularly on eating healthy as well as brushing their teeth
after every meal
 Advising them on adding fluoride toothpaste, visiting a dental clinic and wearing a
helmet when riding a bi-cycle or scooter to prevent an oral injury.

On being physically active

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 Parents and carers can play an active role in encouraging children to start playing or cut
down sedentary mode by being the excellent role models for children as an average
child needs a minimum of 30-40 minutes physical activity every day.
 Being a parent, you can start from their younger days through simple activities such as
tiding up the place
 Taking stairs regularly instead of elevator, doing workout sessions
 Going to the parks and most importantly taking walks with your child after dinner
instead of watching television or using phone.
 But as a child-care provider, your role becomes more emphasizing as children spend
more time of the day in the Nursery than at home
 there must be plenty of physically active activities for a child especially after every meal
as children tend to become sleepy or lazy after meals; these activities need to be fun as
children get bored easily
 There should be some sort learning and playing activities such as chasing bubbles
walk/run or scoot along the chalk lines, singing and performing the famous heads and
shoulders song etc.

At our Nursery (Star Child Montessori Day Nursery) for better physical development, there is a
nice amalgamation of both balanced nutrition and regular physical activities. Meals are given
at regular intervals according to nutrition needs of every child, if a child is allergic or intolerant
to an ingredient it is well communicated to the meal cooking teams of the Nursery. Food is kept
highly hygienic and organic which include servings of fruits and fresh vegetables; additional fats,
added sugars, salts, preservatives or colouring are avoided majorly. In addition to better food,
the Nursery creates opportunities of indoor &outdoor games, functional training, strength
training, dance classes, core strength and flexibility exercises at the learning settings to help
children grow healthy and active to carry out various mental and physical activities regularly.
Moreover, infants and toddlers are kept in different areas where the space is made spacious to
encourage a child’s free movement; age-appropriate exercise sessions are also arranged for
children; in food, it is kept strictly in mind allergies, intolerances and likes/dislikes of every child.

Explain how to encourage babies and young children to eat healthy balanced
meals, snacks, and drinks appropriate to their age
Eating healthy is very important for children of every age; healthy eating prepares children for
becoming healthier adults in future. Over the time, children especially toddlers develop a
natural tendency of picking a certain type of preference in foods; thus, making a fuss about
eating every time they are offered food. Eating habits are developed in the first few years of
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children so it is very helpful to introduce them with healthy and nutritious eating. There are few
ways through which babies and young children can be encouraged to eat healthy:

 For infants- from the age of 6 months- infants can be given soft solid foods as babies
learn to chew in this age; therefore, mashed fruits and vegetables are good starters for
babies. At this stage, babies also learn to push away or pick food when they need it so it
is really important to look for clues rather over-feeding the babies. It is extremely
essential to introduce a variety of foods to babies at this stage especially foods rich in
iron, calcium, zinc such as iron fortified cereals, beans, lean meats etc. Babies must be
put in a high-chair before given food so choking can be avoided.
 For toddlers-
 Being a role model in healthy eating for a child is very important as they
learn what they see; for it is essential for a parent especially to make
healthy eating choices so that their child can adopt it too.
 Making the eating environment fun and child-friendly is also helpful;
being creative with food presentation is also a tool to inculcate healthy
eating habits in children as they get attracted to colourful, fancy looking
foods such as presenting vegetables in a rainbow arrangement in a child’s
plate or baking cookies in different shapes through cookie cutter.
 Involving children in preparing their meals can also sharpen their interest
in what they eat such as making one pot cereals or one pot banana
bread; parents can also take their child with them when shopping for
fruit and vegetables instead of packet foods.
 Having an open dialogue with the child on healthy eating choices is also
important for getting them straight.
 Giving them rewards or gifts on eating healthy can be a reinforcement for
them
 Gentle encouragement on simple things such as finishing their full plate,
eating more veggies, drinking enough water etc. play a vital role in
making children used to such healthier habits
 Getting children walk or run certain limit of steps a day and appreciating
them with their favourite cooked meal can also encourage them on being
physically active.
 Pre-schoolers- pre-schoolers can be fussy eater not only for parents but also for
childcare providers; at the Nursery or Pre-school, the carers should be extremely patient
around children.
 Introduce children with smelling, feeling, and then tasting the food so
they can enjoy their plate.
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 Engaging children in eating small portions of meal throughout the day;

imprinting on their minds the significance of eating breakfast every
morning and never skipping a meal
 More stressing the 5-2-1-0 formula that says: eating vegetables and fruit
in five portions, restricting screen time to not more than two hours a day,
at least one hour of extensive physical activity, and drinking zero
sweetened or canned juices rather having water or fresh fruit juices
 Staying positive and calm is the key in engaging children especially the
pre-schoolers into trying anything new and making into a habit; healthy
eating should be for lifetime so this habit depend a lot upon whole
family’s eating habits as well as the day-care or pre-school a child is
attending must adhere towards eating healthy not as a habit but as a
lifestyle choice for the children.

Star Child Montessori Day Nursery includes the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFs) Framework
including information and strategies regarding a child’s physical, mental, social and emotional
well-being. Two Years Progress Checks is ultimately the most effective assessment tool to
check if children at the Nursery are reaching their physical, mental, behavioural, and learning
milestones. Even though each child develops at his/her unique pace and it is absolutely fine
until a child is facing too much delay than the average time required to reach a milestone; this
is where these two-year progress checks are really crucial in determining a child’s overall well-
being. Star Child Montessori Day Nursery implements this area as a part of its policy for safe
care & practice. Through this, all the staff and practitioners are encouraged to cuddle or hug a
child if he/she is feeling low or ill; children are encouraged to do team work in playing activities,
doing arts and crafts, even in lunch time. For social skills, children are advised to behave
positively and it is given under Nursery’s policy for positive behaviour- no amount of shaking or
smacking would be given to children as physical punishment in case of any misbehaviour. If
practitioner/staff manage to behave positively in front of children, they will learn to behave
likewise. Children go through many emotional cycles in a day- in these circumstances; our staffs
are fully trained to tackle emotional issues of children according to their age; the Nursery
believes in talking away and empathizing is the best possible way. The practitioners are advised
to keep children encouraged throughout the day through celebrating their positive behaviours
such as by giving them rewarding stickers, clapping or high-fiving them; children positive
behaviour details are provided to their parents on everyday basis
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Describe basic food safety when providing food and drink to babies and young
children
Food safety and maintaining a good and pleasant environment while making food go hand in
hand. This means to control and manage any food hazards beforehand. Food hygiene does not
include food cooking and serving only. Therefore, there must be certain guidelines to be
followed to ensure that children, both at home and in the childcare, are safeguarded against
any potential hazard while making or preserving food for them. There are following points to be
maintained for food safety practice to be fool proof:
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 Temperature control is decisive when preparing and storing food. This is because there
are harmful bacteria present on many of the foods that are handled on a day-to-day
foundation. These bacteria multiply speedily when food is kept at room temperature.
 An in-depth washing of all outsides, floorings, protecting utensils, instruments, cutlery,
slabs, and washing areas should be maintained.
 Hands are the major transferors of bacteria hence; they must be rubbed and washed
properly before cooking and distributing food. The same goes for children. The washing
practice must be done with anti-bacterial soap and warm water.
 Every food item cooked for children in the nursery must be prepared evenly and
completely.
 There are numerous guidelines you can keep an eye on to avoid the binge of bacteria
when food preparation:
 Always use a digital thermometer to check the interior heat of food. It is
directed to check if the prepared food stretches a temperature of 75°C.
 You need to retain hot food at 63ºC and toss it off later two hours if it is
not eaten.
 Do not rewarm food further if heated once, this supports bacteria to
increase to hazardous intensities.
 Before rewarming foodstuff via a microwave, always work according to
the companies’ guidelines and make sure the food has heated up equally
from every side.
 Do not serve raw or uncooked foods. For example, you must cook any
kernels or meats right over to the inside. Furthermore, while cooking
eggs make certain that no liquid chunks are left over.

Star Child Montessori is dedicated to contribute towards children health, nutrition and well-
adjusted eating habits through meals and snacks at the setting. We safeguard that:

 A balanced and healthy breakfast, midday meal, tea and two daily snacks are offered for
children- attending a full day at the day nursery
 Menus are prearranged, swapped repeatedly yet they offer variety. These are
demonstrated for children and parents to understanding. We offer wholesome diet at
all snack and meal times, dodging huge amounts of fat, sugar, salt and non-natural
seasonings and preservatives.
 Menus comprise of portions of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. Parents and
children are given complete information about menu planning and also their
suggestions are highly appreciated. Fresh drinking water is continuously accessible. It is
regularly offered to children and babies and their water as well as liquid intake is
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watched. During hot weather, staffs boost children to drink extra water to keep them
hydrated.
 Nursery Staff keep up with kids to create healthy varieties and appreciate the
prerequisite for healthy eating. We pick food items from the diets of each of the
children’ traditional backgrounds so that to give children with already known foodstuffs
and bring together different foods from each other’s cultures. That’s the way children
learn to accept and respect cultural differences in eating habits.
 No kid is ever sent unaccompanied while eating/drinking to reduce the threat of choking
or overeating.
 Wherever we bump into birthdays and celebrations is well-thought-out; these occasions
are celebrated over smiles and applause, stickers and brooches, picking a favourite
anecdote, singing a party song or playing a fun game etc.
 We do permit parents to carry in cakes on exceptional times. All staff body that cooks
food is capable to make sure of so and take training in food sanitation.
 Any child who exhibits hints of anxiety or distress towards a food item; it is removed
without creating any issue. Children who are not on distinct diet regime or any medical
reasoning are cheered to have a small portion of all cooked foods. Children who are not
interested in food at a particular time are given food far ahead in the daytime.
 Kids are given time-stretch to finish their food at their own speed and not hurried; food
measures are given to children according to their specified calorie count as per their
age.
 The Nursery staffs provide with a good illustration and eat with the children and
demonstrate good table manners. Meal and snack times are prearranged and through
meals and snack stretches children are stimulated to use their behaviours and say
'please' and 'thank you' and talk is urged.
 We collect substantial information from parents about their children nutritional
necessities, counting any unusual eating wants, likings or even food allergies before a
child starts or joins the nursery. If the staffs think possible or appropriate, there is
always a risk assessment along with regular or devised risks checks to ensure that
children are having foods risk free. Cautious attention is also being given to seating to
escape cross contagion of food from child to child.