Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views regarding the implementation of the Child Care (Pre School Services) Regulations 1996 and Child Care (Pre School) Services (Amendment) Regulations 1997 ensuring that pre schools services support healthy eating and active living; if she will develop and implement such a policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3630/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The 1996 and 1997 Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations referred to by the Deputy, were replaced, with effect from 3rd September 2007, by the new and revised Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 2006.

Under the new Regulations and associated explanatory guide, measures to support healthy eating and active living are provided for. Regulation 5 states that 'A person carrying on a pre-school service shall ensure that each child's learning, development and well-being is facilitated within the daily life of the service through the provision of the appropriate opportunities, experiences, activities, interaction, materials and equipment, having regard to the age and stage of development of the child and the child's cultural context.'

The issue of 'healthy eating' is specifically addressed in Regulation 26 (1) which states that 'A person carrying on a pre-school service shall ensure that suitable, sufficient, nutritious and varied food is available for a pre-school child attending the service.'. Moreover, the explanatory guide refers that providers take account of the 'Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Pre-School Services' published by the Department of Health and Children in 2004 when providing nutritious food and drink.

'Active living' is also expressly addressed in the Regulations; Regulation 28 (b) provides that the pre-school service should have 'adequate and suitable facilities for a pre-school child to play indoors and outdoors during the day.'. The accompanying explanatory guide also provides guidance on outdoor play and states that "Children in part-time or full-day care services should have access to the outdoors on a daily basis, weather permitting.".

It is considered that the new Regulations provide an effective framework for the continued development and advancement of healthy eating and active living in pre-school services.