Qualification: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 1.1: Support healthy lifestyles for children through the provision of food and nutrition
Learning outcome: Understand the nutritional needs of children
Assessment criteria: Discuss the nutritional requirements of children aged: 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-5 years, 5-7 years.
It is important for children to have a balanced diet to grow and develop properly. Depending on their age, children have different nutritional requirements.
For children aged 1-2 years, it is recommended that they have three meals per day and nutritional snacks, with food and drink being low in sugar, salt and fat. They should also have a daily intake of 1000kCal, consume full-fat milk (no more than 400ml per day), and take a vitamin D supplement.
For children aged 2-3 years, it is recommended that they have three meals per day and nutritional snacks, with food and drink being low in sugar, salt and fat. They should also have a daily intake of 1230kCal, and consume semi-skimmed milk (no more than 350ml per day) as well as take a vitamin D supplement.
For children aged 3-5 years, it is recommended that they have three meals per day and nutritional snacks, with food and drink being low in sugar, salt and fat. They should also have a daily intake of 1480kCal, and consume semi-skimmed milk (no more than 300ml per day) as well as take a vitamin D supplement.
For children aged 5-7 years, it is recommended to have three meals per day and nutritional snacks, with food and drink low in sugar, salt and fat. They should also have a daily intake of 1600kCal.
In general, all children should be consuming at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.
It is important to note that these are only guidelines, and every child is different. Allergies, health conditions and the child’s personal preferences should also be taken into account.