Health Promotion

Central Coast Local Health District NSW

Professionals

How healthy is your childcare menu?

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If you’ve ever wondered if your early childhood education and care service menu is nutritionally adequate, or worry about having your service’s menu checked by others for accreditation, then worry no more.

12-step tutorial video

We’ve made it easy for you with our 12-step menu assessment video. In 10 minutes you’ll learn how to tell if your menu complies with the nutrition checklist found in NSW Health’s Caring for Children: Birth to 5 years – giving you peace of mind that children are getting the required 50% of their everyday nutritional needs while in your care.

The video provides a helpful tutorial not just for cooks, but all educators wanting to provide the best nutrition for the children at their centre. Additionally, if you’re a health promotion officer wishing to assess the menu of an early childhood service you work with, you’ll be able to use the video to help guide you through the process and award it a star rating.

By the end of the video, you’ll know what it takes for a menu to achieve a 4.5 or 5-star rating and thereby comply with the nutrition checklist found in Caring for Children.

What you’ll need

The video uses a case study to walk you through the process. You can download the case study sample menu and sample menu information sheet here to follow during the video. Together, we’ll check whether the menu provides enough iron, fruit and vegetables, breads and cereals, dairy and protein foods.

To review your own service’s menu, you’ll need a copy of the two-week menu cycle planning tool, found on page 93 in Caring for Children. Either photocopy the planning tool from your book, or simply download the planning tool and print it off. In order to make your service’s menu assessment easier and more accurate, you should also complete your own menu information cover sheet*. Now you’re ready to watch the video and follow the 12 easy steps.

*The menu information cover sheet provides important information that doesn’t normally appear on the menu itself, such as the quantities of the various food groups purchased each week, and types of flour and crackers being used.

Watch the video

Watch the video, How to access the nutritional value of a childcare menu in 12 easy steps, below.

Further support

Please note, while we encourage ECEC services to assess their own menu, on the Central Coast we also welcome services to send their menu and menu information cover sheet to the Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) Nutrition Services team for review. Completing your own review is a great exercise in developing an understanding of how to plan a healthy menu. We are here to assist you though, and also want to recognise services with menus that do comply with the nutrition checklist found in Caring for Children.

If you would like CCLHD Nutrition Services to review your menu, please send your menu and menu information cover sheet to [email protected]

Related links

Munch & Move main

Munch & Move newsletters

Munch & Move workshops

 

Breastfeeding

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Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week 2021

Following the success of the inaugural World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) Art Competition last year, the Central Coast Local Health District Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Reference Group has launched another community art competition to celebrate WBW 2021!

Protecting Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility is the theme for WBW 2021. WBW highlights the benefits that breastfeeding can bring to both the health and welfare of babies and their mothers. Breastfeeding supports good nutrition, protection against infection, poverty reduction and food security.

We encourage our Central Coast community to take part and show case their artistic talents.

Artworks must be related to breastfeeding and how it improves the health, development and wellbeing of infants and children as well as mothers, both in the short and long-term.

Entries can be created in one of four categories: painting, drawing, photography and digital art, or mixed media.

Finalists will have their artwork displayed in the exhibition space in the main corridor, level 4 of Gosford Hospital during World Breastfeeding Week (August 2021) and until the end of September 2021. Competition winners will be announced during WBW 2021 and offered the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in health services within Central Coast Local Health District, for community members to appreciate long term.

Artworks must be submitted in hard copy between Monday 5 July and Friday 16 July 2021 via drop off at Gosford Hospital Reception Desk or Ngiyang Aboriginal Pregnancy, Child and Family Health Service, 2/2A Bounty Close, Tuggerah or Gosford Regional Gallery, 36 Webb St, East Gosford, 9.30am – 4pm.

So, download the entry form here, get your camera, paints or pencils out and start today!

The entry form can be completed electronically before printing, or completed by handwriting responses after printing.

The following virtual gallery is a presentation of the selected entries from 2020 along with comments from the artists and judges.

 

Why breastfeed?

Breastfeeding is important for mother and baby health. Any amount of breast milk offered to your baby is good.

In Australia, it is recommended that infants are exclusively* breastfed until around six months of age when solid foods are introduced, and that breastfeeding is continued until 12 months of age and beyond, for as long as the mother and child desire.1

*Infant receives only breast milk. No other liquids or solids are given, not even water, with the exception of oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines.



Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that infants need for around the first six months of life. From six to 12 months breastmilk continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs and up to one third of a child’s nutritional needs between 12 months and two years.


Breastfed children are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.


Need help with breastfeeding?


Breastfeeding is a learned skill, which needs practice. The more you feed your baby, the easier it will get. More information and support is available from the following:


Breastfeeding Education Live – online sessions




Interactive breastfeeding education webinar sessions for expectant parents. Learn and practice how breastfeeding works. Click here for more information


CCLHD breastfeeding support clinics


These breastfeeding support sessions for Central Coast residents are run by child and family health nurses to support, protect and promote breastfeeding. Click here for community health centre locations and times.


Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)


Call the Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 268. This helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and staffed by trained, volunteer counsellors.


The ABA website provides a range of resources to support, educate and advocate for a breastfeeding inclusive society. You can hire a breast pump through ABA.


The mum2mum app provides breastfeeding information and support based on your baby or child’s age.


Raising Children Network


An Australian parenting website that provides articles, videos and interactive resources tailored to different ages and stages. Breastfeeding information can be found in the ‘newborn’ and ‘babies’ tabs.


MotherSafe


For women and healthcare providers concerned about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. more information, click here or call 1800 647 848.


Other support for breastfeeding




Five ways family and friends can support a mother to breastfeed


    

  1. Offer encouragement.
    2. 

  2. Help with the baby between feeds, and older children in the family, to allow the mother to rest or nap.
    3. 

  3. Make nutritious meals and snacks to help increase her energy.
    4. 

  4. Help with cleaning and other jobs around the house to decrease these responsibilities.
    5. 

  5. Find breastfeeding friendly meeting places.
    6. 



Dads can sign up to SMS4dads and receive free text messages sent straight to their phone containing tips, information and links to other services to help fathers understand and connect with their baby and support their partner.


Grandparents play an important part in the encouragement and support of breastfeeding. More information for grandparents can be found here.


There are no benefits to starting solid foods before around six months. Starting too early can contribute to a decrease in breast milk production. Starting Family Foods provides current advice on introducing your baby to solid foods.


Support for breastfeeding in public


We are breastfeeding friendlyLook for the ‘We Are Breastfeeding Friendly’ sticker in Central Coast businesses and facilities that are supportive of mothers’ breastfeeding on their premises. There are more than 300 on the Central Coast helping to promote a positive attitude towards breastfeeding in the community.


If you have a business or know of a business that is breastfeeding friendly and would like to participate, contact Nutrition Services, Central Coast Local Health District for free breastfeeding friendly stickers and kit. Call 4320 2251.


References


1National health and Medical Research Council 2012, Infant Feeding Guidelines, Canberra. National Health and Medical Research Council.


School Gardens


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School Gardens
Having a garden can help your school to promote environmental and sustainable learning as well as encourage healthy eating and physical activity. It is a fun way to learn outside and provides students with a hands-on opportunity to prepare, eat and share the food they have grown.
Participation in a school garden program has been shown to help improve knowledge and confidence in relation to growing, preparing, cooking and eating a diverse range of fresh foods among Australian children.1
Can my school have a kitchen garden?
Any school can have some sort of garden or kitchen, regardless of their site, size, resources, gardening experience or classroom space.
How to start a kitchen garden

Kitchen gardening for sustainability

 
Patch to Plate is a free recipe book developed by the Central Coast Health Promotion Service that includes healthy and simple recipes that local teachers have made with their students using fresh ingredients from their own school gardens. Check out and download below to try these tasty recipes at school or at home.
You can also watch and share how to prepare four of our delicious recipes from the Patch to Plate book in the videos below!
Watch the videos below and download the recipes and methods.
Tell us what you think of these videos here!


Beetroot Hummus 

Rice Paper Rolls 

Fritters 

Gozleme 
Central Coast School Garden Interest Group
The Central Coast School Garden Interest Group (CCSGIG) aims to share ideas and connect Central Coast schools with an interest in school gardens and cooking. Healthy eating, encouraging physical activity and providing an interest for students rather than using small screen technology underpins the group’s philosophy.
The group meets twice each year, with a different school hosting the meeting and sharing its experiences. This year, we are considering new ways to connect as a group – if you have any suggestions, get in touch!
Next workshop – Term 1, 2021
Primary schools can now register for our Term 1, 2021 workshop. Check out the workshop program, including details on how to register, here.
Join the School Garden Interest Group for information on workshops, events and new resources.
 










 










You can also join our Facebook group.
If you have a question for our team or would like information on the next workshop, please complete the form below. 







References
1Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au
 
























E-cigarettes


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Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are devices that produce a vapour which is breathed in. The process is similar to smoking, except you don’t have to burn the tobacco.


E-cigarettes are often promoted as a healthier option, but this may not be the case. Many e-cigarettes still contain nicotine as well as other potentially harmful chemicals such as ammonia that are breathed into your lungs and very quickly absorbed into your body. Smokers inhale so much and so frequently that we just don’t know what the impacts of these chemicals will be. However, we do know e-cigarettes containing nicotine are addictive, just like tobacco.


Smoking e-cigarettes is not recommended as a means to quit tobacco smoking. If you are trying to quit smoking, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a better choice. NRT is designed to gradually release nicotine into your body to help relieve symptoms you may get when you are trying to quit. However, NRT avoids the surge of nicotine that enhances addiction. It’s that surge of nicotine from a cigarette or an e-cigarette that provides the reward and keeps you addicted. NRT avoids this, while buffering withdrawal symptoms.


Quitting smoking can improve your quality of life by having a positive impact on your physical health. What’s more, research shows that, after the nicotine withdrawal has been overcome, there are substantial long-lasting improvements to your mental health with reduced levels of anxiety and depression. Swapping to e-cigarettes won’t give you the same result.


If you would like help to quit, or you would like to refer someone to get help, call the Quitline on 13 7848, or talk to your health professional.




E-cigarettes – the top 5 issues




1. Availability and take-up is increasing


In countries like the USA where e-cigarettes are very easy to buy, young people have been taking them up at an alarming rate. In 2014, e-cigarette use tripled among high school students compared to the previous year. Even more alarmingly, there was no downward trend in tobacco use.


2. They are a gateway to smoking tobacco and other drugs


Studies around the world (such as these from the USA, Canada and Germany) have found high school students who have never smoked, but start using e-cigarettes, are much more likely to end up smoking tobacco.


3. No one can be sure they’re safe


E-cigarettes have the potential to be addictive, which means people are at risk of exposure to large amounts of nicotine and other potentially harmful chemicals. Some of these chemicals are not in tobacco smoke, so it is unknown what long-term health consequences they will have. However, evidence is growing, and some studies have linked them to issues such as blood pressure, heart rate and arterial stiffness. Both the Australian Government and World Health Organization have recently issued warnings on the health implications of inhaling harmful toxics in e-cigarettes.


4. They don’t help people quit


When e-cigarettes were first available, it was thought they could be used to help smokers cut down and eventually quit smoking tobacco. Since then, more evidence has come to light. E-cigarettes aren’t any more effective at helping people quit. Worse, they often result in smokers using both e-cigarettes and tobacco.


5. They are not regulated in many countries


Even though restrictions on tobacco advertising and product placement have been in place for many years, e-cigarettes are not as tightly governed… yet. Like tobacco companies before them, e-cigarettes have snuck their way into Hollywood movies because it’s a tried and tested way of getting people to smoke.


NSW Health has been careful in regulating the use of e-cigarettes. Click here to read more about the regulations in place.


Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder


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What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ?

(FASD)


FASD is a diagnostic term for severe neurodevelopmental impairments (you may see these as difficulties with physical activities, language, memory, learning and behaviour) that result from brain damage caused by alcohol exposure before birth.




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Find more about FASD






Infographics


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We have a library of infographics available for download to use in newsletters or social media. Topics include healthy eating, being active, choosing water and screen time. A small selection of infographics are included below.  To download just click on the image and then right click and choose ‘save as’.



If you would like to request other infographics please ring our team on 4320 9700 and ask for Jane, Justine, Chad or Jeff who will tailor a set for your needs or complete form below.


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