START RIGHT EAT RIGHT

A nutrition accreditation program for Tasmanian Children’s Services

(Centre Based Care)

The project aims:

• To improve the food and nutrition knowledge, skills and practices of child care workers in Centre Based Services.
• To optimise the quality of food provision to children attending children’s services in accordance with the Australian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents and Caring for Children recommendations.
• To support the promotion of sound food and nutrition practices to those families who provide meals and snacks for their children while in care.
• To continue to enhance collaboration between training providers, peak children’s services organizations, council and health education departments within the child care industry to address food and nutrition issues.

Key Strategies

• The program offers training for centre based cooks, directors and staff in nutrition, menu planning and assessment, food safety, mealtime environment and policy development. A new addition to training is an in-house training component. Centres will be able to participate in the Start Right Eat Right award scheme or renew existing award.
• Providing resources that enhance ongoing training, the development and evaluation of food and nutrition policies and communication with families within child care services.
• Promote services accredited with the SRER program.

START RIGHT EAT RIGHT

A nutrition accreditation program for Tasmanian Children’s Services

(Centre Based Care)

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST IN PARTICIPATION

Name:…………………………………………………….

Service:…………………………………………………...

Number of Participants:………………………………….

Telephone Number:……………………………………...

Please tick

□ Service provides food           □ Parents provide food

And

□ Service has participated in previous SRER (Taste Buds) and received award

□ Service has not previously gained SRER award

Please send to:                                   Start Right Eat Right

                                                            Lady Gowrie Tasmania

                                                            PO Box 263

                                                            North Hobart TAS 7002

Information for services not previously involved in ‘Tastebuds’ or who did not meet ‘Start Right Eat Right’ award criteria and assessment standards

What are the steps for Start Right Eat Right Accreditation?

STEP 1

Ideally a minimum of two staff eg. Centre coordinator and cook or staff member; complete the Start Right Eat Right – short course for Child Care Services. The modules will incorporate an in-house training section.

Module 1

Nutrition requirements for children

Module 2

2a Menus and communication

2b Lunchbox and communication

Module 3

Nutrition Policy

STEP 2

All centre staff complete the requirements of the FoodSafe Food Handler Training Program (Australian Institute of Environmental Health). Services will need to contact their local council Environmental Health Officer to obtain a copy and work through this program.

STEP 3

For services who provide food

Submit a two week menu that demonstrates it meets the 50% Recommended Dietary Intake for nutrients (including documentation)

OR

For services where food is brought from home

Submit a two week assessment of 2 children’s lunchboxes, describing the family situation, considerations and recommendations. A plan on how to approach the family and what information would be used must also be included.

AND

Submit a Nutrition Policy for assessment

STEP 4

Successfully meet all the award criteria as assessed at a site visit

Information for services who have previously received the ‘Start Right Eat Right’ Award

What are the steps for Start Right Eat Right Re-Accreditation?

STEP 1

Ideally a minimum of two staff eg. Centre coordinator and cook or staff member, attend the Start Right Eat Right refresher and network training session. (3 hour duration including a validation component). The refresher will incorporate an in-house training section.

STEP 2

All centre staff complete the requirements of the FoodSafe Food Handler Training Program (Australian Institute of Environmental Health). Services will need to contact their local council Environmental Health Officer to obtain a copy and work through this program.

STEP 3

Validate that service is continuing to meet award criteria:

For services who provide food

Submit a two week menu that demonstrates it meets the 50% Recommended Dietary Intake for nutrients (including documentation)

OR

For services where food is brought from home

• Submit a two week assessment of 2 children’s lunchboxes, describing the family situation, considerations and recommendations. A plan on how to approach the family and what information would be used must also be included.

AND

Submit a Nutrition Policy for assessment