Food guidelines for kids at ECE centres

Babies and young children have an increased risk of choking on food due to their small air and food passages, which can be easily blocked by small objects. Their biting and chewing skills are also not fully developed and they have a less effective cough mechanism.

The new guidelines came into force on 25 January 2021 and recommend that food provided by ECE centres be developmentally appropriate for children, that teachers and kiako know choking first aid and CPR, and that there is a safe physical environment while kids are eating.

In ECE centres where food is not provided, the new guidelines must be promoted to parents and caregivers.

Foods include:

• whole or pieces of nuts
• large seeds, like pumpkin or sunflower seeds
• hard or chewy sweets or lollies
• crisps or chippies
• hard rice crackers
• dried fruit
• sausages, saveloys and cheerios
• popcorn.

Examples include:

• removing the skin from chicken
• grating raw carrot, apple or celery
• cooking vegetables until soft
• removing stones, large seeds and pips from fruit and vegetables
• finely chopping, quartering or halving grapes, berries and cherry tomatoes
• finely slicing or chopping salad leaves, spinach and cabbage
• removing bones from food
• using smooth, thick pastes sparingly.

If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your ECE centre or visit the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora website(external link) for more information.