Menu planning for childcare centres: practices and needs.

PURPOSE: 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.