South Australian Long Day Care Centres engaged with a nutrition incentive award scheme show consistency with mealtime practice guidelines

Abstract

Abstract Aim: The study aims to describe the meal time and parent communication practices used in South Australian Long Day Care Centres (LDCCs) and explore whether practices differ by engagement in a nutrition incentive award scheme, Start Right‐Eat Right. Methods: One hundred eighty‐four staff from South Australian LDCCs (81% response rate) completed a 16‐item telephone survey. Open and closed questions were asked, with multiple unprompted responses accepted for open questions. Differences by Start Right‐Eat Right status (engaged vs not‐engaged) were determined using chi‐square analysis. Results: Sitting and supervising children while eating (100%), offering meals (98%) and snacks (94%) at regular and predictable intervals, and discussing food served with children (88%) were common mealtime practices. Practices that involved children at mealtimes were also frequent. Engaged centres reported higher frequencies of staff role modelling (80% vs 56%, P = 0.004) and encouraging children to taste foods offered (33% vs 13%, P = 0.021). Centres reported using ‘sometimes foods’ (76%) and food alternatives (42%) to celebrate children's birthdays, with more engaged centres than not‐engaged centres using nutritious foods at celebrations (15% vs 6%, P = 0.045). While 59% of respondents indicated that nutrition can be a sensitive topic to discuss with families, over 90% indicated it is important to communicate with parents about nutrition and felt confident to do so. Conclusion: Practices employed by South Australian LDCCs to create a positive mealtime environment were consistent with current guidelines, more so when centres are engaged in a nutrition award scheme.