Exceeding NQS in Quality Area 2: Healthy lifestyle (Element 2.1.3)

Practical Steps Towards an Exceeding NQS Rating in Quality Area 2: Element 2.1.3

Here’s an exhaustive list of practical steps to achieve an Exceeding NQS rating in the National Quality Standard 2.1, specifically for Element 2.1.3: Healthy Lifestyle:

Element 2.1.3: Healthy Lifestyle “Healthy eating and physical activity are promoted and appropriate for each child.”

Practical Steps for Exceeding NQS Rating:

1. Embedded in Service Operations (Theme 1)

• Ensure that healthy eating and physical activity practices are consistently implemented across all programs.
• Educators should engage children in experiences, conversations, and routines that promote relaxed and enjoyable mealtimes.
• Use cooking experiences to further children’s understandings of healthy food and nutrition.
• Follow the service’s procedures for the safe storage and heating of food and drink.
• Encourage children to eat healthy food without forcing them to eat food they dislike or more than they need.
• Educators should sit with children during mealtimes, modeling and reinforcing healthy eating practices.

2. Informed by Critical Reflection (Theme 2)

• Regularly analyze and reflect on the effectiveness of the service’s approach to promoting healthy eating and physical activity.
• Consider how the service’s practices align with the Early Years Learning Framework and the Framework for School Age Care.
• Reflect on how physical activities are balanced between spontaneous and planned, passive and active experiences.
• Evaluate the risks associated with physical activities and ensure they are managed appropriately.

3. Shaped by Meaningful Engagement with Families and/or the Community (Theme 3)

• Actively seek feedback from families about their child’s dietary requirements, likes, dislikes, and any other nutritional needs.
• Engage with families to support their choices regarding infant feeding, including breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
• Provide resources and information to families about healthy eating and the importance of physical activity.
• Collaborate with the community to organize events or programs that promote healthy lifestyles, such as community walks, healthy cooking workshops, or fitness challenges.

Additional Considerations:

• Ensure that the physical environment, both indoor and outdoor, is organized to promote safe physical play for children of different age groups.
• Provide opportunities for children to engage in dance, creative movement, drama, and respond to music and storytelling.
• Ensure that the service’s health and safety policy includes sections on nutrition, food, drink, and dietary requirements.
• Display written menus that detail the food provided for children, ensuring consistency with the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
• Ensure that educators understand the importance of risky play and can balance the benefits of such play with the potential risks.

To achieve an Exceeding NQS rating overall, it’s crucial to ensure that all Quality Areas meet the NQS, with at least four or more Quality Areas being rated as Exceeding NQS. Among these, at least two should be from Quality Areas 1, 5, 6, or 7. Remember, continuous improvement, reflection, and engagement with families and the community are key to achieving and maintaining an Exceeding NQS rating.

An Example Monthly Schedule

Ready to implement these practical steps in your service? Using the constraints of 4 hours per week to work on improvements, we’ve created an example schedule below.

Given the limited time of 4 hours per week, it’s essential to prioritize tasks and break them down into manageable chunks. Here’s a suggested monthly schedule for an educator aiming to improve their service in line with the Exceeding NQS rating for Element 2.1.3: Healthy Lifestyle:

Week 1: Research and Planning

• Hours 1-2: Research and familiarize oneself with the Early Years Learning Framework and the Framework for School Age Care. Understand the key components related to healthy eating and physical activity.
• Hours 3-4: Draft a plan for the month, detailing the specific tasks and goals for each week. This will serve as a roadmap for the upcoming weeks.

Week 2: Focus on Healthy Eating

• Hours 1-2: Review the current meal plans and compare them with the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Identify areas of improvement.
• Hours 3: Plan a cooking experience or activity that promotes understanding of healthy food and nutrition for the children.
• Hour 4: Engage in a reflection session. Consider the effectiveness of current mealtime routines and practices. Document any insights or areas of improvement.

Week 3: Focus on Physical Activity

• Hours 1-2: Observe current physical activities in the program. Reflect on their alignment with the children’s needs and the balance between spontaneous and planned activities.
• Hour 3: Plan a new physical activity or game that promotes motor skills, balance, and coordination. Ensure it’s suitable for all age groups.
• Hour 4: Engage with families or community members to gather feedback on the physical activities provided. Document their suggestions and insights.

Week 4: Engagement and Feedback

• Hours 1-2: Organize a feedback session with families. Discuss children’s dietary preferences, any special requirements, and gather suggestions for improvement.
• Hour 3: Reflect on the feedback received and draft a plan for implementing the suggested changes.
• Hour 4: Review the month’s progress. Document achievements, challenges, and areas for future focus. This reflection will guide the next month’s activities.

Remember, while this schedule provides a structured approach, it’s essential to remain flexible and responsive to the unique needs and feedback of the children, families, and community. Continuous reflection and adaptation are key to achieving and maintaining an Exceeding NQS rating.

Reflective Questions

Reflective practice is crucial for continuous improvement. Here’s an exhaustive list of reflective questions tailored for Element 2.1.3: Healthy Lifestyle:

Healthy Eating:

1. How do our current meal plans align with the Australian Dietary Guidelines?
2. Are the children exposed to a diverse range of nutritious foods?
3. How do we accommodate children with special dietary requirements or allergies?
4. How do we involve children in mealtime preparations and decisions?
5. Are our mealtimes relaxed and enjoyable for the children?
6. How do we handle situations when a child refuses to eat?
7. Are there opportunities for children to learn about nutrition and healthy food choices?
8. How do we ensure safe storage and heating of food and drinks?
9. Are educators modeling healthy eating behaviors during mealtimes?
10. How do we communicate with families about their child’s eating habits and preferences?

Physical Activity:

1. Are children provided with a balance of spontaneous and planned physical activities?
2. How do we ensure that physical activities are appropriate for each child’s age and developmental stage?
3. Are there opportunities for children to engage in both indoor and outdoor physical activities?
4. How do we promote safe risk-taking during play?
5. Are children encouraged to understand the importance of physical activity for their health and well-being?
6. How do we incorporate feedback from children about their preferred physical activities?
7. Are there opportunities for children to lead or initiate physical activities?
8. How do we ensure that the physical environment supports active play and exploration?
9. How do we address any barriers or challenges to physical activity?
10. How do we communicate the importance of physical activity to families?

Engagement with Families and Community:

1. How do we actively seek feedback from families regarding healthy eating and physical activity?
2. Are there opportunities for families to be involved in planning or implementing healthy lifestyle activities?
3. How do we ensure that our practices respect and incorporate the diverse cultural backgrounds of our families?
4. Are there partnerships with local community organizations or experts to enhance our healthy lifestyle practices?

General Reflection:

1. How do our practices for promoting a healthy lifestyle align with the Early Years Learning Framework and the Framework for School Age Care?
2. What resources or training might benefit our team in promoting healthier lifestyles?
3. How do we ensure that all educators understand and consistently implement our healthy lifestyle practices?
4. Are there any barriers or challenges we face in promoting a healthy lifestyle, and how can we address them?
5. How do we measure the success of our healthy lifestyle initiatives?
6. What are our next steps for continuous improvement in promoting healthy eating and physical activity?

Using these reflective questions regularly can help educators critically analyze their practices, make informed decisions, and drive continuous quality improvement for Element 2.1.3.

Learning from ACEQA case studies

Let’s break down the practical steps taken by services in the provided case studies to achieve Exceeding NQS standards in Element 2.1.3, along with the reasons, tips, and estimated implementation time.

Case Study 1

Educators registered with a family day care service in a large local government area are supported to actively promote and support children’s health through the coordination unit. The unit conducts regular assessments of educators’ homes to ensure the health and safety of all children is protected and ensures educators follow current recommended practice and guidelines from recognised authorities.

1. Regular Assessments of Educators’ Homes
   • Reason: Ensures health and safety of all children and adherence to current recommended practices.
   • Tips: Schedule periodic assessments, provide feedback, and offer resources for improvement.
   • Estimated Time: Initial setup: 5 hours. Ongoing: 2 hours per month.
2. Strong Relationships and Collaborative Partnerships with Families
   • Reason: Ensures understanding and respect for child-rearing practices, cultural beliefs, and health priorities.
   • Tips: Conduct thorough enrolment interviews, maintain open communication, and provide interpreters when needed.
   • Estimated Time: 2 hours per family during enrolment, ongoing: 1 hour per week.
3. Promotion of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
   • Reason: Actively supports children’s health and wellbeing.
   • Tips: Share ideas on a closed Facebook page, conduct regular play sessions, and engage in reflective discussions.
   • Estimated Time: 2 hours per week for planning and sharing.
4. Engaging in Reflective Discussions with Coordinators
   • Reason: Helps in refining and improving practices based on feedback and reflection.
   • Tips: Schedule regular meetings, encourage open dialogue, and implement changes based on discussions.
   • Estimated Time: 2 hours per month.
5. Engaging with Local Community Resources
   • Reason: Enhances the service’s approach to promoting a healthy lifestyle.
   • Tips: Partner with local suppliers, involve children in discussions about food sources, and promote hands-on experiences.
   • Estimated Time: 3 hours per month for planning and coordination.

Case Study 2

This long day care service is situated in a regional city. There is considerable variation in the social and economic circumstances of families living in the city. This includes families who may be experiencing disadvantage, as well as families from a range of diverse cultural backgrounds.

1. Engagement in Community Network Meetings
   • Reason: Allows for collaborative discussions on current and emerging issues specific to children and families.
   • Tips: Attend bi-monthly meetings, actively participate, and share insights with the service team.
   • Estimated Time: 3 hours per meeting.
2. Review of Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) Data
   • Reason: Identifies trends and areas of concern related to children’s health and wellbeing.
   • Tips: Regularly review AEDC data, discuss findings with the team, and plan interventions.
   • Estimated Time: 2 hours every six months.
3. Feedback Collection from Children and Families
   • Reason: Ensures practices are aligned with the needs and preferences of children and families.
   • Tips: Conduct surveys, hold informal discussions, and incorporate feedback into planning.
   • Estimated Time: 2 hours per month.
4. Engagement with Local Fitness and Wellness Experts
   • Reason: Enhances the physical exercise and healthy eating programs of the service.
   • Tips: Collaborate with local experts, plan activities based on their guidance, and regularly review the effectiveness of the programs.
   • Estimated Time: 4 hours for initial setup, ongoing: 2 hours per month.
5. Documentation of Experiences and Reflections
   • Reason: Provides a record of the service’s efforts and allows for continuous improvement.
   • Tips: Use photos, children’s artwork, transcripts, and staff reflections. Share with families and use for future planning.
   • Estimated Time: 2 hours per week for documentation and sharing.

These steps, when implemented effectively, can significantly contribute to achieving an Exceeding NQS rating in Element 2.1.3.