Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Your Assignment Module Number and Heading: LA016763 Providing support to families and children to promote healthy drinking and eating
Your Assignment Type: Standard Question
Currently Working in Childcare? Yes
Your knowledge: Beginner

Your Question?
a) What impact will Joel’s preference for sweet drinks and foods have on his dental and general health? Identify at least two impacts.


b) How will you increase Joel’s and Amanda’s awareness of healthy foods and drinks? Describe at least two strategies you would use and include examples of communication or conversations you would have with both Amanda and Joel.


c) Select two practices from the Australian Early Childhood Code of Ethics that guide you in determining your response to this situation.

What is your answer so far or What have you done so far as an attempt to solve this question?
a) Joel likes to add chocolate to his milk, he will only drink the milk with the chocolate and also likes sugary and salty snacks and rice for lunch.
I will communicate to Amanda that our centre cook makes sure that our menu complies with the Education and Care National Regulations and Quality Standards and that the educators encourage the children to eat a more balanced varied diet to keep healthy.


b)• I would be a good role model to eat all the food on the plate.
• Discuss the food choices available, naming foods , colours, textures.

1)I would encourage Joel and Catherine to eat avocado (healthy fats) and tell them it is good for their brains.
2) Include a story and then let them help me prepare the meal? (this might be challenging for Catherine)

c) stuck on this one , not sure where to look for resources

Description and Message:
Any help would be appreaciated if im on the right track.

Hi There,
i'm stuck on this one too im not sure how to answer these questions. can anyone help please its due tommorrow for me.

Hi Lorina,
thank you for the links.

this is my answer so far. i'm not sure if im on the right track.
I started off with a quote then added some information and dots points.

“Being healthy doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive – it's about taking steps to integrate physical activity into our daily routines, and the choices we make about the foods we eat. It’s time to shift our thinking and make healthier choices the norm.”
-Geoff Huegill, Chair, Premier's Council for Active Living and Olympic swimmer
Healthy eating is a critical behavioural risk factor that can have a significant impact on health at all ages. Optimum nutrition is essential for the healthy growth and development of infants and children. It contributes to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and provides protection against chronic disease and premature mortality. It also means consuming the right types and quantities of food from the five food groups to ensure intake of all key nutrients while obtaining the right amount of energy (kilojoules) to achieve a healthy weight.

All children in child care need regular healthy meals, snacks and fluids (drinks). Promoting children’s health is an important aspect of good quality child care. It’s important that children in care are offered nutritious meals and enjoy positive mealtime experiences. Research has shown that some children in care may not get enough of some important dietary nutrients.

The National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC) provides national guidelines for child care, which cover all areas of care. These guidelines contain information on all aspects of quality child care including standards of discipline, hygiene, programming, communication, food and nutrition. Some of the issues covered include showing respect for all children, providing a pleasant, culturally appropriate atmosphere for children at mealtimes that encourages social interaction and learning and to promote healthy eating and good food habits by having trained staff on food handling and hygiene.
Engaging Amanda in activities to promote healthy eating can have great impact on Joel’s views and the effects of choices he makes.
For e.g The Hero Food Movement. The idea is to teach Joel about the importance of fresh and healthy foods by a clear connection to his heroes. Everyone has a hero whether it’s Superman or Neil Armstrong. The idea also involves Amanda but the key here is to let Joel take the first step. The goal is to create a positive spiral among student and parents in understanding the importance of fresh and healthy food.

I would ask Joel “What do you think your hero eats?. In an intuitive way make the connection between his heroes’ abilities and the food they eat.
For example: Superman has x-ray vision so it’s safe to say he has good vision. Eating carrots is good for your eyes. So maybe Superman eats carrots. We also introduce an award system in the centre to push both children and parents to eat and cook fresh food. The idea is that child will bring fresh food from home in a lunch box. The teacher will award the student with a hero sticker and the student will place the sticker on the “Class Super Power Chart”. Every student is a prominent hero. The more stickers you get the more abilities you receive. When the class has received a certain amount of stickers the class will be rewarded a field trip to an amusement park or another fun event. This would be financed either by the centre or the parents.

The Hero movement is kick started by giving the children a mission to cook something with fresh foods with their parents and then bring left overs in their lunch box the next day. Now they are a part of the movement and receive a lunch box sticker, and also their first hero sticker to put on the Class Super Power Chart. It is also important that the parents receive information about the movement and what we are trying to achieve.

these are my other strategies but im not sure how to add them in.
1. Preparing a healthy meal with children involved
2. Organizing field trip to reinforce learning on healthy eating
3. Setting up learning corners to reinforce children’s learning on the importance of healthy eating
4. Engaging parents in activities to promote healthy eating
5. Have a veggie/fruit day once a week where carers and directors come dressed in costumes or different types of healthy foods with posters or fact sheets to share with the children

hi Lorina,
thankyou soo much for helping us out.

I'm just confused on question 3C.
I have chosen from the Australian Early Childhood Code of ethics:

I. In relation to children, I will:
5. Respect the special relationship between children and their families and incorporate this perspective in all my interactions with children.

II. In relation to families, I will:

1. Listen to and learn from families, in order to acknowledge and build upon their strengths and competencies, and support them in their role of nurturing children.
2. Assist each family to develop a sense of belonging and inclusion.
3. Develop positive relationships based on mutual trust and open communication.

But I'm not sure how to merge the answer together and what to write. Could you please help me?

thankyou so much Lorina,
you are a gem!

also i wanted to ask regarding the menu. with the 1 week one do we just change tuesday and thursday or do we have to make a new one for week 1 aswell.

i have made week 2 menu, i have attached it, i have a i hope its good enough it took a few tries but do you think i need to make any changes? also with the checklist im not sure how i would count it regarding my menu

I'm also not sure how to answer question 2D. Outline how the menu cycle complies with the Education and Care National Regulations and Quality Standards.

Just found some information within the regulations about the menu:

Education and Care Services National Regulations: Chapter 4 Part 4.2 Division 1

Regulation 79 Service providing food and beverages

(1) The approved provider of an education and care service that provides food or a beverage to children being educated and cared for by the service must ensure that—
(a) the food or beverage provided is nutritious and adequate in quantity; and
(b) the food or beverage provided is chosen having regard to the dietary requirements of individual children taking into account—
(i) each child’s growth and development needs; and
(ii) any specific cultural, religious or health requirements.

Ref: Education and Care Services National Regulations

For the National Quality Standard check out the following: Quality Area 2 - Children's Health & Safety

Hope this helps,

,
L.A

Hi lorina Thankyou soo much again!

for question 2A. in the assessment it says to develop a second week menu ensuring the menu provides a nutrious & balance diet for all children including joel (4 years,diagnosed with Glue Ear, has to have an operation to remove his tonsils and grommets inserted for the next 3 weeks. )

katherine. (10 months)( and to include solid foods that i will prepare for katherine.) These 2 only come on Tuesday and Thursday.

other than this there are not special needs required for the menu.

* if i remove the juices and stick to water and milk with fruit options
e.g Mon-Friday morning tea ( fresh seasonal Fruit with cubed cheese and salada crackers, served with water and milk)

for Lunch : add vegetarian and non vegetarian options for everyday. including fruit and dairy

for After noon tea: Dairy and Fruit again
my menu will be good to go?

joel and katherine are Lacto-vegetarian
I have updated my menu Lorina
could you please go through it and right in Red anything i need to change.
this is soo confusing i hope ive done it better now.

PLEASE DOWNLOAD THIS COPY NOT THE ONE ABOVE!

so if my count is correct regarding the Nutrition Check list for - Long Day Care Menu Planning
looking at my menu have I counted correctly?

Hey There,

The first menu for Joel and katherine is attached
i'm not sure what exactly to do? Am I changing Tuesday and Thursday the days they attend or are we meant to make a whole new menu for week 1 as well?.

and for part D: Outline how the menu cycle complies with the Education and Care National Regulations and Quality Standards.

Education and Care Services National Regulations: Chapter 4 Part 4.2 Division 1
Regulation 79 Service providing food and beverages
(1) The approved provider of an education and care service that provides food or a beverage to children being educated and cared for by the service must ensure that—
(a) the food or beverage provided is nutritious and adequate in quantity; and
(b) the food or beverage provided is chosen having regard to the dietary requirements of individual children taking into account—
(i) each child’s growth and development needs; and
(ii) any specific cultural, religious or health requirements.

Ref: Education and Care Services National Regulations

National Quality Framework
Quality Area 2 - Children's Health & Safety -

Standard 2.2
Healthy eating and physical activity are embedded in the program for children.

Element 2.2.1- Healthy eating is promoted and food and drinks provided by the service are nutritious and appropriate for each child.

*I am not sure what else am I meant to add in this answer can you please help me form this answer what exactly do i need to write??

hello i am stuck on question
A) What impact will Joel’s preference for sweet drinks and foods have on his dental and general health? Identify two at least two impacts.
i was wodering if anyone had any infomation that could help
- thank you

hello, i am stuck on question a and would really like some help
-thank you in advance

amberpitt wrote:hello i am stuck on question
A) What impact will Joel’s preference for sweet drinks and foods have on his dental and general health? Identify two at least two impacts.
i was wodering if anyone had any infomation that could help
- thank you

The following links should help:

LA016763 - Scenario: Joel & Amanda - Sweet Foods & Drinks

,
L.A

Hi Lorina,
im stuck on the last 2 questions for this care assessment.i have done Qestion 4. but i need help with question im not sure how to answer this.
I am planning to submit to tommorrow. could you please kindly read through it and let me know if i should change it or not?

scenario For question 4.

Today, a lady arrives to pick up Katherine and Joel. You have never seen her before. She says her name is Pam, Joel and Katherine’s grandmother, who has just arrived from Adelaide for a long weekend.

A) Outline your response to Pam’s request and the steps you will take to ensure the children get home safely.


Under National Law: Sections 165, 167 and the National Regulations: (Regulations 99, 158–159, 176)
A child may only leave the education and care service premises under any of the following circumstances:
 A parent or authorised nominee collects the child.
 A parent or authorised nominee provides written authorisation for the child to leave the premises.
 A parent or authorised nominee provides written authorisation for the child to attend.
 An excursion the child requires medical, hospital or ambulance treatment, or there is another emergency.

By Following the rules and regulations, my response would be to Pam’s request is firstly to ask her to sign into the centre and present her photo identity card. Then Amanda would be contacted to confirm the pickup with our service and that she is aware she has stated in writing that grandma Pam is authorized to collect the children on their enrolment forms. Once the phone call has been made and confirmations have been done and noted in the communication staff book, Then we would let both Katherine and Joel leave the premises and go home with grandmother Pam after she has signed out of the service.

If Pam doesn’t have an Identity card with her present on the day then we would implement the rules of how she won’t be allowed to collect them from the centre until we have contacted Amanda. While we would go through Katherine and Joel’s enrolment forms to see that Pam is listed as the other guardian responsible for collecting the children. We would ask Pam to sit in the waiting area while we contact Amanda and confirm with her that Pam has come to collect Katherine and Joel and this is just a confirmation call.
By law for the children to be protected these steps would be taken to assure that Katherine and Joel are in the right hands and safe with the guardian that has come to collect them.
The safety of the children is one of the most important duties as a staff member, carer and as a service. If Amanda is unreachable to confirm, only then would both children stay within our custody until we have spoken and confirmed with Amanda that Pam is allowed to pick up the 2 children. When all confirmations have been done Katherine and Joel will be allowed to leave with Grandmother Pam. As Pam is signing out of the centre, then we would request her to make sure she always has and brings her photo identity card whenever she collects the children and a copy will also be scanned into their files for future protocols to be met for all the other staff to have access to at all times.

** ( IS THIS A GOOD ENOUGH ANSWER?)

5.How does your response reflect the Education and Care National Regulation’s requirement for the collection of children?