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Head Start
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Health Information Nutrition Services Nutrition is the foundation of good physical, mental and dental health. The foods children eat play a major part in shaping their overall health and well-being. The goal of preschool nutrition is to provide opportunities for children to enjoy and feel good about food. Food Service Meals at Head Start are provided by school districts, food vendors, or by our own in-house food service personnel. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided to the children at no charge. It is required that we have a school lunch application filled out for all children who attend classes located in a school district building. Food Allergies and Special Diets Children with special dietary needs will be served food appropriate for their needs. It is the parent’s responsibility to inform Head Start staff of any allergies, religious food preferences, or special/medical dietary needs a child might have, before they start eating at Head Start. These special dietary needs will be identified on a nutrition survey filled out at registration. If a child has a milk or other food allergy, we must have a "Meal Request form" signed by the child’s health care provider stating the nature of the allergy and what foods can be substituted. Family Style Food Service All meals at Head Start will be served "family style". Family style eating is defined as children, staff and volunteers sitting down and sharing a meal together. The teachers who have food handler’s permits will serve the children food. Children may only serve themselves pre-packaged items such as milk, boxed cereal, packaged crackers and cookies, etc. Mealtime is a very important activity and contributes not only to the child’s nutritional needs but is a time of socialization, language development, learning manners, and developing motor skill. It is a time where cultural and ethnic differences can be experienced. Adults must model appropriate behavior towards food by what they say and how they respond at this time. Classroom Food Treats Due to an outbreak of food borne illnesses, the Salt Lake Health Department has advised that no foods be served in the classroom that have been prepared at home or by a person who does not have a current food handlers permit. Home foods are not inspected and we have no control as to what takes place in those private kitchens. It is Head Start policy that no classroom treats be brought from home unless they are commercially prepared and individually packaged. Fruits and vegetables are allowed, but should be washed well. ALL treats should be approved by the teacher due to children who might have food allergies. Classroom Volunteers Parents who volunteer in the classroom for two or more hours can eat lunch with their children at no charge. We encourage parent participation and like parents to share mealtime with their children. Adults will not eat breakfast or snacks at school and food cannot leave the classroom. Parent Classes It is part of the Head Start philosophy and Performance Standards that parents make suggestions and requests as to the topics for classes offered at their parent meetings. The nutritionist welcomes any requests for classes on nutrition topics and food preparation. It is important for the parents to learn the same skills and concepts their children are learning in order to model and reinforce them at home. Because of the number of classes, it is important to schedule times with the nutrition coordinator and health education coordinator as far in advance as possible. Nutrition Education The purpose of nutrition education in preschool is to help children develop basic nutrition skills and knowledge. Mealtime is an excellent time to implement or reinforce many of the nutrition concepts that are being taught to the children during the school day. At meal time children practice proper use of utensils, manners, and good eating habits. Teachers incorporate nutrition concepts into their weekly lesson plans from a number of selected nutrition curriculums, and often have in-class food experiences in addition to the daily meals. The nutrition education concepts for Preschool children are: 1. Food is important for growth, health and well- being; it provides energy for work and play. 2. There are a wide variety of foods that are divided into food groups. 3. Foods vary in size, color, flavor, texture, smell, shape and sound. 4. Food may be prepared and eaten in many different ways, including raw, cooked, dried, frozen, steamed, baked and canned. For any questions regarding these or any other nutrition aspect please contact our Head Start Nutritionist at the Shriver Facility 801-977-1122.  |