Menu planning for childcare centres: practices and needs.
OBJECTIVE
Childcare menu planners' relevant knowledge, attitudes, and practices were determined, as were the menu planning guidelines or tools needed and the nutritional adequacy and quality of menus in licensed full-day childcare centres in Nova Scotia.


METHODS
An ethics committee-approved questionnaire was mailed to a stratified random sample of 101 licensed childcare centres across the province. Respondents were instructed to forward a copy of their current four-week menu for nutrient analysis and menu quality evaluation.


RESULTS
Descriptive statistical data analysis from the returned questionnaires (n=35) indicated that fewer than 50% of the menu planners had relevant training and knowledge. Discrepancies exist between attitudes about good menu planning and practices. A positive finding was that most respondents used reliable resources for menu planning and expressed a desire for updated resources and ongoing training in child nutrition/ menu planning. A number of nutrient and menu quality deficiencies were identified from the menus submitted (n=28). A significant statistical correlation was found between menu planning training and higher menu quality scores.


CONCLUSIONS
The results will be relevant to nutritionists in the development of effective resources and training for childcare centre menu planners.
Romaine
Nadine
N
Capital Health, Halifax, NS.
Mann
Linda
L
Kienapple
Kim
K
Conrad
Bonnie
B
D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005504:Food Analysis; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008612:Menu Planning; D009674:Nova Scotia; D009753:Nutritive Value