Helping children eat healthily
Recent scientific research has suggested that children raised on
junk food have lower IQs that children fed a healthier diet.
The research, undertaken at the University of Bristol, claims
that children who are fed nutritionally rich food in the first
three years demonstrate a higher IQ at age 8 than those
children who were fed a diet high in fats, sugars and processed
foods.
Registered childminders are required to provide healthy,
balanced and nutritious snacks and meals to the children in their
care. The most recent Ofsted figures (relating to registered
childminders in England) found that 76 per cent of childminders
were "good" or "outstanding" in helping children to adopt healthy
lifestyles.
An earlier report by Ofsted called Food
for Thought surveyed 110 early years settings and found that
"Most childminders and day-care providers placed an emphasis on
homecooked nutritious food using fresh ingredients". The report
noted that 74% of the childminders inspected for this survey were
judged as good or outstanding with regard to providing a healthy
diet and that no childminders were judged inadequate.
What's your secret?
How do you encourage the children in your care to enjoy eating
healthily?
Page last updated:
2/8/2011