Having nutrient-based standards for children's food, such as those pioneered by the Caroline Walker Trust (CWT), is the easiest way of ensuring that children eat well.
Evidence shows that the diets of under-fives are too low in vitamins A and C, in iron and zinc, and for some groups, vitamin D. Children are also eating too few fruits and vegetables while over-consuming sugar and salt.
But until the publication of the first CWT report in 1998, there were no UK nutrient-based standards for food for under-fives in childcare.
The updated report's guidelines are comprehensive, with practical and nutritional guidelines, a training manual and a CD. It says the quality of food provided by childcarers is becoming increasingly important.
The report makes a number of recommendations, including that all childcare settings should be required, as part of the registration process, to demonstrate that they are committed to providing food that meets the standards of the CWT guidelines. It also recommends that inspectors'
reports should include comments on food and nutrition, and that any setting not meeting these standards should seek advice from a registered dietician or registered public health nutritionist. All childcare courses should teach how to follow the nutrient-based guidelines, and all practitioners, including Sure Start providers, should seek appropriate information on how to implement them.
Variety and limits Children should be encouraged to eat a varied diet to get a range of nutrients, eating foods from the four main food groups every day:
* starchy foods: bread, potatoes, rice, pasta; wholegrain ('brown') kinds should be included
* fruit and vegetables - these are especially important for good health
* milk and dairy foods
* meat, fish and alternatives such as eggs, pulses and soya.
Evidence suggests that iron intake is low in under-fives, so settings should provide a diet high in iron-rich foods such as red meat, poultry, fish and iron-rich fruits and vegetables. (Meat is also a good source of zinc.) Sugar consumption is too high in under-fives, leading to tooth decay, and so needs limiting. Any sugared food should be kept strictly for mealtimes and not offered between meals or as a snack. No one needs sugar for energy - starchy foods are better sources and they also contain important nutrients.
Tap water is recommended as the best drink. Whole milk is also recommended for under-twos, after which semi-skimmed can be gradually introduced, but only if a child is a good eater and having a varied diet. Fizzy drinks are to be discouraged, as they can erode tooth enamel.
There is a long and detailed chapter on encouraging children to eat well which covers a range of issues, including multicultural and special diets, food refusal, exercise, involving parents, baby milks and weaning. There is help with menu planning and some sample menus.
The training manual
The CWT training manual can be used by individuals on their own, or it can form the basis of a training day for early years workers, facilitated by a trainer such as a dietician or public health nutritionist. The manual has a list of individuals qualified to do this.
The CD
For the computer literate, the CD-Rom has a database of 'foods that might be served to under-fives', but the CWT stresses that it doesn't necessarily recommend the foods listed. The database merely makes it possible to compare certain nutrients of a limited list of foods. But I do wonder how many people will read the long introduction and see this crucial disclaimer.
I have one other reservation - the report's nutritional advice isn't always aligned with its ideas for menus. I wish the report had followed the successful French model, where most meals end with cheese and fresh fruit, instead of, very strangely, suggesting ending a meal with sugared food.
The new menu planner
The updated 'Chomp', the new under-fives menu-planning programme NMPU5, published by Nutmeg, is now available. This incorporates the standards of the new CWT report and has a database of 1,500 foods and recipes. There is a version for single nurseries and childminders, and another 'advanced'
version for operators of nursery chains which has more reporting facilities. It can import and export data to and from other systems, and recipes can be added to the database. This addition, along with the guidelines, could be invaluable for many settings.
Further information
* Eating well for under-fives in childcare, The Caroline Walker Trust, www.cwt.org.uk
* Under-fives menu planning programme NMPU5, 020 8323 8001; www.nutmeg-uk.com