Nutritious and Adequate Food or Beverage Taking into Account Child Needs Regarding Growth and Development - Case Study Example

Child Care Name: Institution: Date: Child care can be described as the act of providing care as well as supervision for a child or children mostly from the age of one and half months to thirteen years. Day care centers and baby sitters are charged with this responsibility with adequate training required for one to be at a better position to handle all the tasks that comes by with child care. Parents are faced with a quagmire in identifying the best care center for their children and hence the need for affirmative reassurance from the identified center to the parents that their children are in safe hands. The case study shows an example of a child care center (Forrest Early Learning Center), where a single mother (Amanda), has enrolled two of her kids (Joel and Katherine). Amanda is worried on how Katherine will cope with the new environment in terms of settling down since she is still breastfeeding. The mother doubts whether the educators will be in a position to correctly establish the state of Katherine regarding hunger, emotions, her safety and the possibility of no individualized attention taking into account that there are nine other children in the room. Amanda should be helped to understand that stranger and separation anxieties are a normal part of development in every child. She should be enlightened that the start of child care is a major transition which can be both emotional and exciting period for her as a mother and to Katherine. However difficult a time, she should be advised to remain positive with the child about the new experience. Amanda should try not to share her worries with the child since as a matter of fact, children have this amazing ability to pick up on when their parents are anxious or worried. In such situations, confidence levels have been noted to be in a record low but there are many ways to help the parents in boosting their confidence. Amanda should be encouraged not to worry by assuring her on the ability of the center to provide ample security and that being the reason why many families have entrusted the center with the responsibility of caring for their kids. She shouldn’t worry much because children normally adjust as the new faces in their surroundings get familiar. The fact that she can create time and spend some with Katherine in the center can really help the child in adapting really fast. Breastfeeding issue shouldn’t concern Amanda much due to the fact that Forrest Early Learning Center has laid down strategies to allow mothers to breast feed their kids. The center has designated place which is set aside for mothers to come during work and breastfeed as well as a private room for mothers to pump their breast milk. This provides a positive environment which is offered in a supportive manner. Settling down into a care center should be step by step process with both Amanda and Katherine being guided in a manner that brings harmony of events. This process should start prior to Katherine joining the center where by Amanda is provided with the care center’s daily schedule and encourage her to use it or else incorporate it into Katherine’s routine . Encouraging Amanda to have Katherine accompany her to the care center is another important strategy which will help her in familiarizing with her new environment as well as the smells, sounds, faces and the whole set up. Another strategy would be having Amanda participate in some routine from the very first day so as to help Katherine feel more secure and also help Amanda get more involved in the service. Changing of nappy each time on arrival will act as a good way to begin the day for Katherine, Amanda and the educators. Suggestions should be offered to Katherine’s mother of good times to call throughout the day to check on her. Knowing Katherine’s likes and dislikes and the way to settle her when she is distressed at home will help much in settling her down in the center. All these strategies go hand in hand with the requirements stated by the National Quality Framework in http://www.acecqa.gov.au/Childrens-health-and-safety. Katherine according to Amanda enjoys books, stories and playing which objects that can be stack into each other. There arises the need to nurture her in line with the activities she likes doing the most. At her age of 10 months the focus should be on predictable interactions and infant involvement. One way is by offering her with toys within her reach which she can grasp. In case she shows interest in another baby on should get down to her level and her make a turn “this way dear Katherine”. Activating toys which make squeaking sounds and placing them within her reach while verbally encouraging her to activate the toy should always be encouraged e.g. “press it Katherine”. When it is safe during car rounds and round and round or other tickle rhymes, there should be random pointing at objects visible, “Katherine look at that, it’s beautiful”. In addition, talking to Katherine about what you are doing when it’s happening is very helpful in her development. Physical contact in the form of holding her up in the air should be frequent and her dummy should always be availed which according to Amanda are here comforters. The 2nd week’s menu of the menu planning cycle according to the dietary guidelines is as shown in the table below. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Morning tea Raisin toast Fruit Milk Toasted muffin with cheese Fruit Milk Breakfast biscuit with fruit spread Toasted crumpet with milk orange segments Toast and spread Fruit milk Lunch Broccoli with Fruit Platter Zucchini water Lentil and Ham Soup Oodles of Noodles Fruit yoghurt water Taco filled with Mince and chicken beans and carrots Parsnips Fruit Platter Water Crusty French bread with Fruit sponge pudding and Custard Water Chicken Chow Green beans Corn nib lets Leeks Water Afternoon tea Ribbon sandwiches Milk Cream cheese Chocolate Milk Wholemeal fruit bread, spread and chocolate milk Pita bread banana apple slices and Humus dip Milk Pineapple and Ricotta dip Milk The nutrition checklist for long day care menu planning for the fortnight cycle is as shown below: Serving type Menu week one total number of serves Menu week two total number of serves Total number of serves for fortnight Minimum number of servings for fortnight met Red meat 2 2 4 Yes White meat 2 2 4 Yes Vegetarian 7 6 13 Yes Iron 2 2 4 Yes Vegetable & fruit 21 21 42 Yes Dairy 12 12 24 Yes Cereal etc. 5 5 10 Yes According to the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2012 chapter 4 parts 4.2 r.79, the supervisor of an education and care service should provide nutritious and adequate food or beverage taking into account each child’s needs regarding growth and development. This information is available at; http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/pco/prod/FileStore.nsf/Documents/MRDocument:26729P/$FILE/Education%20and%20Care%20Services%20National%20Regulations%202012%20-%20%5B01-a0-00%5D.pdf?OpenElement. Joel’s preference to high sugar intake is of great concern to his dental as well as general health due to the fact that foods containing high sugar levels are generally low essential nutrients and actually substitutes for foods that have more nutrition levels. High sorbitol and fructose consumption which is found in sugary foods can cause toddlers diarrhea. Sweet drinks and foods have high sugar levels which significantly contribute to tooth decay. Amanda should be sensitized on the dangers of allowing Joel to take sugary foods and drinks. Pictorials showing children with decayed teeth are availed for Joel to see. “Look Joel, this is how your teeth will look like if you don’t quit or reduce on sugary foods and drinks.” “Dear Amanda, I urge u to help us in ensuring Joel doesn’t do things that might endanger is health. He should as much as possible try to minimize on sugary diet intake.” EC Code of Ethics in relation to children expects an educator to act in the best interests of all children as well as listening to and learning from families so as to acknowledge and build upon their competencies and strengths and supporting them in their responsibility of nurturing children. As result of the impending hospital visit, Joel is in stress and fear which is very normal. Engaging him in practice relaxation exercises can have a huge impact in relieving stress and anxiety. “Joel I want us to do the following together and all will be well. Let’s take a deep breath together my dear.” Now I want you to close your eyes and picture yourself at the coast looking at the sea waves. Being calm when with Joel will help a lot since children of all ages tend to pick up on their folk’s emotions and resonate on them. Promising Joel a gift after coming out of hospital will give him the needed courage to face his fears with the anticipation of the gift being the motivation. Asking Joel to talk about is fears is very important and can be achieved by encouraging him to face his fears and not to run away from them. “A strong man like Joel never fears or backs down since he is a brave chap.” In circumstances where an unfamiliar person presents to collect the children, a thorough verification procedure should be followed to ensure only that only authorized persons are allowed to collect the children. Amanda should be contacted to verify the person in question and confirm the collection. No access of information about the children or their family should be allowed in accordance with the Education and Care National Regulations. The National Quality standards under the National Quality Framework reiterates that only a parent or authorized should collect a child or children from a childcare service. Children’s food should always b kept in places with free air circulation to avoid contamination. In case this is not observed, the food should be replaced to avoid cases of food poisoning as a result of contamination. When handling the cooking or preparation of children’s food, hygiene levels should be of the highest degree. Therefore in cases where the cook has a cold, he/she should take a day off to avoid any chances of spreading the virus. Washing of hands before handling food stuffs is very important but the risk posed is on how you dry your hands. In this case, using a common cloth towel increases the risk of coming into contact with germs. Electronic hand drier is recommended. When storing food items in the fridge it is not advisable to mix cooked and raw foods due to the risk of contamination. When handling babies there is a need to have a routine sequence of events or activities whereby the babies have specified time to do their tasks. Oversleeping is not good as well as keeping food warm for long due to the risk of it becoming stale. Reference Australia. (2011). Child care service handbook 2011-2012: For all approved child care services operating under the Child Care Management System (CCMS). Canberra: Dept. of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Read More