Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
51. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details on the healthy eating policy and practice in early learning and care services; how will it ensure the promotion of healthy eating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48525/23]
View answerI launched the first Nutrition Standards for Early Learning and Childcare Services in May this year together with my colleague Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State, fulfilling a commitment in First 5, the whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families.
These standards were developed in collaboration with Healthy Ireland and the Department of Health to inform the development and implementation of healthy eating policy and practice in Early Learning and Childcare Services.
This is to ensure agreement on the promotion of healthy foods and drinks in main meals, snacks and celebrations in partnership with children, parents, service providers and the wider community.
As I said at the launch in May, good nutrition in a child’s early years lays the foundation for healthy eating habits and is essential for their future health and well-being.
The Nutrition Standards link to the Tusla Quality and Regulatory Framework for Early Learning and Childcare services and these services are inspected in relation to food and nutrition by Tusla on that basis.
Services must have a healthy eating policy and of course comply with all relevant legislation in the preparation of food.
The Early Years Regulations also lay out the numbers of meals and snacks that must be provided based on the length of time a child is in a service in any one day.
With some young children getting up to 80% of their daily nutrition in Early Learning and Childcare Services, these services have a key role to play in supporting children’s development of lifelong healthy eating patterns, skills, behaviours and attitudes.
