How can we help?
Ensuring Healthy Eating: Why Kindergarten Nutrition Matters
July 18, 2024
Education
Preschool
Ensuring Healthy Eating: Why Kindergarten Nutrition Matters
The kindergarten years are crucial for your child’s physical growth and cognitive development—and nutrition matters! Eating the right foods at the right times can significantly impact your child during these formative years.
In this article, we’ll examine why kindergarten nutrition matters and what to look for when choosing a centre for your child.
Ensuring balanced nutrition
A balanced, nutrition-rich diet is crucial for your child’s growth and development. This is especially true during their formative years when nutrition can affect anything from physical growth to brain development. Studies show that malnutrition and mineral deficiencies can affect psychomotor development and delay a child’s growth.
At kindergarten, healthy snacks, such as fruits and whole-grain crackers, are usually offered during teatime, which are better alternatives to sugary, processed food.
Last year, the Singapore Health Promotion Board (HPB) introduced new nutrition guidelines for schools to prepare healthy meals in appropriate portions for children and infants below 12. My First Skool is one of the first institutions to adopt these practices for their students.
Promoting good eating habits
Kindergartens provide a structured environment not only for your child to play but also to learn good eating habits:
- Social meals—In kindergarten, children are provided a safe and encouraging environment to interact positively and socialise with their peers during mealtime. At the same time, teachers will always be present to assist the children should they need help and model healthy eating behaviours.
- Regular meal times —Regular meals and tea times in kindergarten help foster a routine, giving your child a better understanding of when to expect food and reducing the habit of overeating.
Managing allergies and dietary restrictions
Kindergartens ensure that allergies and dietary restrictions are managed effectively:
- Allergies — Food allergies and intolerances are strictly managed to ensure your children’s safety at all meal and snack times.
- Cultural sensitivity — The dietary practices of all cultures are respected, and food accommodations are made to adhere to these practices.
In a culturally diverse country like Singapore, eating together with peers at a young age fosters respect and sensitivity among children with varied dietary practices, food restrictions, and preferences.
Quality of food and hygiene standards
Food is prepared according to the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines on proper food handling, storage and consumption to ensure your child’s health and safety.
Quality of food is also important. Kindergartens offer nutritious snacks and meals with various fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains to meet the needs of growing children.
Parental peace of mind
Parents can rest assured that their child’s dietary needs are met and that they are in safe hands for several reasons:
- Assurance of a balanced diet — Food is prepared according to nutritional and portion standards set by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) Singapore. This ensures your children are served nutrition-rich meals necessary for their development and growth.
- Professional oversight — Although independence is encouraged, our professional teachers will always assist and ensure that your child’s dietary needs are met appropriately.
- Educational component — Kindergartens can teach children about healthy eating and the importance of a balanced diet, fostering healthy eating habits from a young age. Additionally, children learn social skills by eating together during meal times.
- Consistent meal schedule — Kindergartens ensure structured meal and snack times to ensure that children eat at regular intervals and establish good eating patterns.
- Parental support — Parents can have peace of mind knowing their children are well taken care of and can focus on other responsibilities. Additionally, parents are kept involved and informed of any changes in the weekly or monthly meal menus.
Managing dietary restrictions—Kindergartens are well-equipped to handle the children’s food allergies and intolerances properly, effectively providing alternative meal options and ensuring no cross-contamination.
What to look for when checking meals and nutrition
When reviewing a Kindergarten’s meal plans, several important considerations include:
- Menu variety—Ensure that the menu of meals offered includes a variety of food groups and offers sufficient nutrition for your child’s growth and overall health.
- Portion sizes — Ensure that the right food portion sizes are used for your child’s age group to prevent over- or undereating.
- Meal frequency — Enquire about mealtimes and snack times for your children.
- Ingredient quality—Ensure that the food options are generally fresh and unprocessed, such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Look for menu items that use natural ingredients with minimal artificial additives and flavouring.
Special diets—If your child has specific dietary needs or preferences, enquire about the kindergarten’s protocols for managing food allergies, intolerances, and other dietary requirements.
Peace of Mind with Singapore's Top Kindergarten
Providing the right nutrition for your child early is crucial to their overall development. My First Skool is one of the top kindergartens in Singapore, with curriculums for infant care and preschool.
With research-based practices and meals reviewed by nutrition experts, your child is ensured a positive, well-rounded mealtime experience.
