Kinder food program defends snacks rules

Hamish Heard
Organisers of a controversial new healthy eating program in local kindergartens have hit back at claims some children could go hungry under the scheme.
Dental Health Services Victoria’s Fiona Preston said Smiles4Miles had “no intention” of leaving children short of food at kindergartens.
The Independent last week reported parental fury at the pilot Smiles4Miles program in 36 schools throughout Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.
An angry parent said many parents felt the program stripped parents of their right to decide what to feed their children. She feared children could go hungry if kindergarten staff confiscated foods banned under the program.
But Ms Preston denied the program stripped parents of their rights.
“There is no intention to see children go hungry as a result of the program’s intervention,” Ms Preston said.
“Rather, by providing information to parents, the program will help them to understand why healthy snacks are important and which snacks are supportive of good health.
“It will also encourage parents to provide healthy snacks for their children and support the health-related messages being taught through the curriculum.”
Fifty-seven per cent of five-year-olds suffered oral disease, while 23 per cent of preschool children were overweight or obese.
Corio West Kindergarten teach Bronwen Malpas also rejected claims in last week’s Independent that unhealthy food was being confiscated from children.
“We do not confiscate food, any inappropriate snack is sent home,” Ms Malpas said.
“We observe what children are eating and encourage them to eat healthy foods and ask them to take any unhealthy food home with them.”
Ms Malpas said children at the kindergarten also enjoyed once-a-term “special days” when they were allowed to eat ice cream and “party foods”.