Nourishing nutrition in early childhood education and care

Nutrition is a key component of quality in early childhood education and care (ECEC) under the National Quality Framework (NQF). With many children consuming the majority of their daily food intake while attending services, ensuring food and beverages are nutritious, safe, and suited to individual needs is both a regulatory requirement and a best-practice approach to supporting children’s learning and wellbeing.

Early childhood is a period of rapid growth and development. Adequate nutrition during this stage supports physical health, cognitive function, and the establishment of lifelong healthy eating habits.

For some children, particularly those experiencing food insecurity, the meals provided in ECEC settings may make up to two-thirds of their daily dietary intake. This underscores the importance of services implementing menus that align with recognised dietary guidelines.

Positive mealtime environments also contribute to children’s social, emotional, and physical development. Practical tools, such as mealtime conversation cards developed by Good for Kids, Good for Life can assist educators in creating relaxed and engaging eating experiences.

The NQF addresses nutrition through the Education and Care Services National Law, the Education and Care Services National Regulations, the National Quality Standard (NQS), and approved learning frameworks.

Key provisions include:

• NQS Quality Area 2 – Children’s health and safety: Element 2.1.3 requires that food and drinks are nutritious and appropriate for each child’s dietary needs.
• National Law – Section 51(1)(a): services must ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of children at all times.
• National Regulations:
  • Regulation 78 – food and beverages must be nutritious and adequate in quantity.
  • Regulation 79 – food and beverages must be appropriate for individual dietary requirements, including allergies and cultural needs.
  • Regulation 80 – services must display a current weekly menu with accurate descriptions of the food and beverages provided.

Approved learning frameworks, such as the Early Years Learning Framework, also highlight the role of nutrition in supporting children’s wellbeing and encourage:

• creating healthy eating environments
• role modelling positive food behaviours
• involving families in nutrition practices
• supporting children’s agency in making food choices.

Various resources have been developed with practical tools and information to help services meet their obligations and embed healthy eating practices in everyday routines, including:

• Creating positive mealtimes – strategies for fostering calm, inclusive and engaging eating experiences.
• Introducing new foods to children in education and care services – evidence-informed tips for broadening children’s food acceptance.
• Nutrition, food, beverages and dietary requirements guidelines – guidance on meeting legislative requirements and aligning with dietary guidelines.

These resources complement national guidance documents, such as:

• Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Early Childhood
• Australian Dietary Guidelines

Embedding nutrition into quality improvement planning can help services:

• regularly review menus for compliance with regulations and guidelines
• incorporate nutrition education into the program
• work collaboratively with families to support consistent healthy eating messages
• create mealtime routines that promote children’s independence and agency.

Access additional ACECQA information here.