The new National Quality Framework came into affect on the 1st of February 2018.  You may be wondering what has changed in relation to healthy eating and food safety in the new National Quality Framework.  Here is our quick snapshot of what you need to know!

Food safety and healthy eating continue to be included in Quality Area 2 – Children’s Health and Safety.

Food safety is now included in element 2.1.2 Health practices and procedures – Effective illness and injury management and hygiene practices are promoted and implemented. The assessment guide for food safety related activities and issues remains relatively unchanged.  The following additions have been made to the assessment guide in the NEW Guide to the National Quality Framework:

• Assessors may observe children consuming food and drinks in a hygienic manner.
• Assessor may sight visual aids and hand-washing signs displayed where children wash their hands.

Healthy eating is now included in element 2.1.3 Healthy lifestyle – Healthy eating and physical activity are promoted and appropriate for each child.  There are additions to the assessment guide in relation to healthy eating and mealtimes that settings should be aware of and implementing in their daily practice.  The following additions have been made to the assessment guide in the NEW Guide to the National Quality Framework:

• Assessors may observe educators encouraging children to eat healthy food without requiring them to eat food they don’t like or to eat more than they need, including supporting children to recognise when they are hungry or full.
• Assessors may observe educators sitting with children and modelling, implementing and reinforcing healthy eating and nutrition practices with children during mealtimes.
• Assessors may observe educators consulting children about their routines and meal times.
• Assessors may observe educators responding to babies’ verbal and non-verbal cues about their preferred food preferences and meal times.
• Assessors may observe babies being fed individually by educators according to each child’s routine.
• Assessors may observe children being supported by educators to feed themselves.
• Assessors may sight program planning including cooking experiences that promote healthy eating and knowledge of nutrition.
• Assessors may sight if the menu is changed, notification is displayed for families so that they are informed of their children’s meals that day.

In coming Food Foundations newsletters and news articles we will explore these new additions to the assessment guide and provide you with strategies and ideas to implement these activities into your daily routine.