Nutrition Environments in early childhood education - do they align with best practice?

Abstract

To assess the comprehensiveness (scope of nutrition guidance) and strength (clarity of written language) of centre-based nutrition policies (CBNPs) within Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres. To also consider the applicability of an existing CBNP assessment tool and policy alignment with best practice food provision and feeding practices. Cross-sectional online study to assess written ECE centre-based nutrition policies using the Wellness Child Care Assessment Tool (WellCCAT). Licenced ECE centres in the state of Victoria, Australia. ECE centres (operating at least 8 hours per day, 48 weeks per annum), stratified by location (rural and metropolitan), centre management type (profit and not-for profit), and socioeconomic area (low, middle, high). Included individual CBNPs (n=118), predominantly from metropolitan centres (56%) and low-medium socioeconomic areas (78%). Policies had low overall WellCCAT scores, particularly strength scores which were low across all four domains (i.e., Nutrition Education, Standards, Promotion, and Communication/Evaluation). The Nutrition Standards domain had the lowest strength score. The Communication/Evaluation domain had the lowest comprehensiveness score. Content analysis indicated low scores may relate to WellCCAT applicability for the Australian context due to differences in best practice guidance. Despite the presence of written nutrition policies in ECE centres, many showed weak language and lacked comprehensiveness and strength. This may relate to poor implementation of best practice food provision or feeding practices. Low scores, however, may partly stem from using an assessment tool that is not country-specific. The redevelopment of country-specific tools to assess ECE centre-based nutrition policy may be warranted.