Helping under 5s get the best start in life

New guidelines, contained in the document Nutrition matters for the early years, will help childcare providers to provide a balanced diet for under 5s in their care. Details of the guidelines were revealed today at a seminar organised by the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland at The Edge, Belfast.

Angela McComb, Regional Health Promotion Manager for Nutrition at the Health Promotion Agency said: "In Northern Ireland around 40,000 children under 5 years of age are in full or half-day care in nurseries, playgroups, crèches or childminding facilities. This is a significant number of children who will be eating a large proportion of their meals and snacks away from their own home.

"Many of the serious health problems that develop during adulthood are influenced by the food eaten during the early years of life. Eating well at an early age can help to protect and promote the health of our young people. That is why it is important that childcare providers in nurseries and playgroups get this document which will assist them in providing the best nutrition for the children in their care. This will be a real investment for the health of our population in years to come."

Nutrition matters for the early years, was prepared by the Health Promotion Agency working with an inter-agency group including health visitors, social workers from Early Years Teams in Health and Social Services Trusts, oral health professionals, community and paediatric dietitians and childcare providers.

Angela concluded: "The guidelines provide practical information on a range of topics including weaning, menu planning and food safety as well as ways of coping with fussy eaters. They aim to ensure that all children in day nurseries and playgroups are given the very best start in life."

Nutrition matters for the early years also contains information about planning menus for vegetarian children, children from ethnic minority groups and those with special dietary needs. It will be distributed to all nurseries and play groups by the Early Years Teams.

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