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