Nutrition in a private day care center.

The quality of food service and nutrition education at a private day care center concerned a registered dietitian who was also a graduate student in public health nutrition and the mother of a toddler enrolled at the center. As part of her information search, the dietitian discussed her concerns with an interdisciplinary team of public health nutritionists, a sanitarian, state dietary consultants, and North Carolina Office of Child Day Care Licensing staff. Through a study conducted at a day care center, the nutrition education of the staff and the children was improved. Sanitation was emphasized in the food preparation area, while basic nutrition education concerned with the prevention of childhood obesity, iron deficiency anemia, and dental caries was provided to the director, the teachers, and the children. Efforts are now being made at the state level to improve child day care nutrition standards. Recommendations are included for all phases of menu planning, food service, and nutrition education in child day care facilities.