Appendix N: Self-Assessment for Positive and Healthy Meals and Snacks834
Section 1: Fruits
Fruits avalible daily |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Fruit options include fresh, frozen, and/or fruit packed in Water or juice (not packed in light or heavy syrup) |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Fruit options are accessible to Children for self-serving |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
All fruit names are introduced to the children prior to the meal or snack |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Fruit names are written and/or pictured near where children eat |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Adults caring for children (mg, assistants, etc.) model to children how to serve themselves and participate in family style dining |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Notes / Reflections:
Section 2: Vegtables
Vegatbels avalible daily |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Vegetable options include and/or labeled "reduced sodium" or “no salt added” |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Vegetables are available to children for self-serving |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
All vegetable names are introduced to the children prior to the meal or snack |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Vegetable names are written and/or pictured near where children eat |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Adults caring for children (mg, assistants, etc.) model to children how to serve themselves and participate in family style dining |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Notes / Reflections:
Section 3: Beverages
Fat free or 1% ild is provided daily for children |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Milk is available to children for self-serving |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Drinking water is available to children for self-serving |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
If juice is served it is either 100% fruit or vegetable juice |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
All beverage names are introduced to the children prior to the meal or snack |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Beverage names are written and/or pictured near where children eat |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Notes / Reflections:
Section 4: Menu Selections
Menu boards featuring daily meals and snacks are available and Visible near Where Children eat (e.g. classroom or space) |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
The menu includes a variety of foods which consider cultural and ethnic preferences |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
The menu is modified for children with food allergies / intolerances and children with disabilities |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
A monthly menu is provided to all families and staff |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
All beverage names are introduced to the children prior to the meal or snack |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
A monthly nutrition and/or physical activity message is included on the monthly menu |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Notes / Reflections:
Section 4: ECE Providoers Role During Meal/Snack Time
Mealtime takes place at regular scheduled time and is part of the children daily routine. |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Adults caring for children have been trained and model appropriate mealtime behavior |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Adults caring for children turn off all visible screens, including televisions, tablets, phones, etc. During meal time an engaging conversation with the children |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Adults caring for children sit with children at the table during meal time |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Adults caring for caring for children discuss if children stomachs feel full before serving a second helping of food |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
During meal time, adults caring for children encourage children to try new or less preferred foods |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
A transition activity (e.g. Reading a book, coloring activity, listening to quiet music, etc.) is offered to children when they're done with their meal |
Frequntly |
Sometimes |
Never |
Ready to get started |
Notes / Reflections:
Action Plan
Based on your self-assessment, create an action plan. Tips for completing your action plan:
- Share ideas and planning with staff in your program to ensure clear expectations
- Determine how many steps you think it will take to achieve a goal;
- Define the steps and determine who is responsible for each step; and
- Set a time-line for the completion of a goal and dates by which each step should be complete.
Action Plan Worksheet
Start Date:
ECE Program Name:
Goal:
Objective / Steps |
Actions Items (Child, Family, Program, Staff) |
Program Environment |
Program Policies |
Sample Objective Step: Update menus over a 3 month period to integrate more fruits an vegetables |
Discuss these changes with the children and how they help them grow strong and healthy |
Update menu boards to share information about fresh fruits and vegetables. |
Include healthy eating as a required topic at family orientation |
Who is responsible? |
Program Staff |
Program Director, cook teachers |
Program Director |
Date |
June 1st |
July 1st |
August 1st |
Objective Step |
|
|
|
Who is responsible? |
|
|
|
Date |
|
|
|