Food preparation, handling and storage

• Food and beverages are prepared, provided and stored in a way that is safe for the children in care, by minimising risk of contamination during the handling process.
• Educators and staff will ensure a hygienic preparation and storage environment, and minimise transmission of food-borne illness by implementing appropriate food hygiene, safe handling and storage practices for food and beverages.
• Educators and staff, who prepare and provide meals and beverages to children, hold a certificate attesting to their successful completion of a basic training course in food safety and nutrition. The course will comply with the guidelines issued by the Regulatory Authority, and is provided by a registered training organization. In addition, educators and staff will keep up-to-date with current standards and developments through professional development, training sessions, pamphlets, newsletters and internet resources.

Nutrition, dietary requirement, activity and healthy lifestyle

• The service actively promotes and supports healthy growth and development. The focus is on promoting and providing adequate and appropriate food choices, especially those between the ages of 1 to 5, as they are considered nutritionally vulnerable (where their growth rate is slower than in infancy, however the nutrient and energy requirement is greater than that of adults).
• Educators and staff promote children's physical activity and the development of their gross motor and fundamental skills through a range of planned and spontaneous physically active play experiences, as well as through daily physical tasks.
• Educators and staff will provide a variety of eating experiences, where possible, to reflect diversity and community influences, such as food choices originating from other countries and creating diverse role-play environments. Educators and staff will introduce and encourage children to try new food, while respecting their individual needs, likes and dislikes.
• Children will be provided with opportunities to become involved in the preparation and serving of meals within the programme, thus promoting valuable intentional and informal cooking experiences and self-help skills.
• Educators and staff will source and provide opportunities within the programme and curriculum to educate and promote healthy nutritional habits. Educators and staff will scaffold children's learning through the curriculum and promote a strong sense of wellbeing, and encourage children to take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing. In addition, educators and staff will engage children in experiences, conversations and routines that promote healthy lifestyles and good nutrition.
• Recognising that being physically active daily is important for the healthy growth and development of infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers, educators and staff seek to promote children's physical activity and the development of their gross motor and fundamental movement skills through a range of planned and spontaneous physically active play experiences, as well as through everyday routine tasks.

Sleep and rest

• The service supports a balance within the routine and programme, respecting the interests of the children's overall health and development.
• A rest period is part of the service's daily routine. The duration may vary, and be flexible, taking into consideration the individual children's needs and requirements, the service's daily level, the weather and other observed daily indicators.
• Educators and staff will be respectful of the families' values and beliefs on care practices including rest. However, each child has the right to play and rest, and this will be respected.
• Any children under the age of 2 will be placed in a separate sleep area, and all children will be supervised during the rest period.
• Children will have their own portable beds, which will be maintained in a clean and safe condition for use. Educators and staff will set up the portable beds prior to the rest time, in a manner to minimise the possibility of cross-infection and allow easy and safe access and exit for children.
• Children shall never be humiliated or shown negativity through voice or actions when soiling or wetting their beds. Nor shall they be forced to wear nappies to bed for the ease of others.