HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION FOR THE
YOUNG CHILD
APPENDIX N: SELF-ASSESSMENT FOR
POSITIVE AND HEALTHY MEALS AND
SNACKS
Kelly McKown
Self-Assessment for Positive and Healthy Meals and Snacks[1]
Section 1: Fruits
Fruits available daily Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Fruit options include fresh,
frozen, and/or fruit packed in
Water or juice (not packed in
light or heavy syrup)
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Fruit options are accessible to
Children for self-serving
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
All fruit names are introduced
to the children prior to the
meal or snack
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Fruit names are written and/or
pictured near where children
eat
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Adults caring for children
(mg, assistants, etc.) model to
children how to serve
themselves and participate in
family style dining
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Notes / Reflections:
Section 2: Vegetables
Vegetables available Sometimes Never Ready to get started
daily
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Vegetable options
include and/or labeled
“reduced sodium” or “no
salt added”
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Vegetables are available
to children for self-
serving
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
All vegetable names are
introduced to the children
prior to the meal or snack
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Vegetable names are
written and/or pictured
near where children eat
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Adults caring for
children (mg, assistants,
etc.) model to children
how to serve themselves
and participate in family
style dining
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Notes / Reflections:
Section 3: Beverages
Fat free or 1% milk is provided Sometimes Never Ready to get started
daily for children
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Milk is available to children for
self-serving
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Drinking water is available to
children for self-serving
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
If juice is served it is either 100%
fruit or vegetable juice
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
All beverage names are introduced
to the children prior to the meal or
snack
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Beverage names are written and/or
pictured near where children eat
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Notes / Reflections:
Section 4: Menu Selections
Menu boards featuring Sometimes Never Ready to get started
daily meals and snacks are
available and visible near
where children eat (e.g.
classroom or space)
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
The menu includes a
variety of foods which
consider cultural and
ethnic preferences
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
The menu is modified for
children with food
allergies / intolerances and
children with disabilities
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
A monthly menu is
provided to all families
and staff
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
All beverage names are
introduced to the children
prior to the meal or snack
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
A monthly nutrition
and/or physical activity
message is included on the
monthly menu
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Notes / Reflections:
Section 5: ECE Providers Role During Meal/Snack Time
Mealtime takes place at Sometimes Never Ready to get started
regular scheduled time
and is part of the children
daily routine.
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Adults caring for children
have been trained and
model appropriate
mealtime behavior
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Adults caring for children
turn off all visible screens,
including televisions,
tablets, phones, etc.
During meal time an
engaging conversation
with the children
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Adults caring for children
sit with children at the
table during meal time
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Adults caring for caring
for children discuss if
children stomachs feel full
before serving a second
helping of food
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
During meal time, adults
caring for children
encourage children to try
new or less preferred
foods
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
A transition activity (e.g.
Reading a book, coloring
activity, listening to quiet
music, etc.) is offered to
children when they’re
done with their meal
Frequently Sometimes Never Ready to get started
Notes / Reflections:
Action Plan
Based on your self-assessment, create an action plan. Tips for completing your action plan:
Share ideas and planning with staff in your program to ensure clear expectations
Determine how many steps you think it will take to achieve a goal;
Define the steps and determine who is responsible for each step; and
Set a time-line for the completion of a goal and dates by which each step should be complete.
Action Plan Worksheet
Start Date:
ECE Program Name:
Goal:
Objective / Steps Actions Items (Child, Program Environment Program Policies
Family, Program, Staff)
Sample Objective Step: Discuss these changes Update menu boards to Include healthy
Update menus over a 3 with the children and share information about eating as a required
month period to integrate how they help them fresh fruits and topic at family
more fruits an vegetables grow strong and healthy vegetables. orientation
Who is responsible? Program Staff Program Director, cook Program Director
teachers
June 1st July 1st August 1st
Date
Objective Step
Who is responsible?
Date
[1] Positive Eating Environment Self-Assessment for ECE Programs by the National Center on Early Childhood
Health and Wellness is in the public domain