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Children from disadvantaged communities often go hungry in daycare centers
Researchers at the University of Queensland have found that children in disadvantaged communities often go hungry when attending early learning and childcare centres. UQ Laureate Fellow Professor Karen Thorpe from the Queensland Brain Institute led a study of more than 900 childcare centers across Queensland that showed those in disadvantaged communities where food insecurity was highest were less likely to provide meals for children than those in more affluent areas. We found that only 65 percent of daycare centers in rural and remote areas provide food. Often it's about keeping costs down, as services that provide lunches for children cost up to...
Children from disadvantaged communities often go hungry in daycare centers
Researchers at the University of Queensland have found that children in disadvantaged communities often go hungry when attending early learning and childcare centres.
UQ Laureate Fellow Professor Karen Thorpe from the Queensland Brain Institute led a study of more than 900 childcare centers across Queensland that showed those in disadvantaged communities where food insecurity was highest were less likely to provide meals for children than those in more affluent areas.
We found that only 65 percent of daycare centers in rural and remote areas provide food.
"It's often about keeping costs down, as services that provide lunches for children charge up to $140 a day, compared to just $60 a day for those without meals."
Professor Karen Thorpe, Queensland Brain Institute
Professor Thorpe said some centers in low-income areas with high market competition were providing food without increasing fees.
“But a later study found that the quantity and quality of food served to the children was inadequate,” she said.
“A report released earlier this year by the United Workers Union showed that some child care providers had a daily food budget of as little as 65 cents per child.”
said Professor ThorpeSome children went hungry at the most important time in their early learning journey.
“We know that without adequate nutrition, it is more difficult for children to learn and regulate their behavior,” she said.
“It’s a further blow for disadvantaged children to then receive bad food at daycare.”
Professor Thorpe said the study found some families living below the poverty linesimply couldn't afford enough food for their children, or if they did, it was of poor quality.
“We found in some daycare centers that staff gave the children their own food when they themselves were having financial problems,” she said.
Professor Thorpe said providing quality food to Queensland's most disadvantaged communities should be a public health priority.
“It would mean children can learn and have a positive path in health and education,” she said.
“There is currently a lot of investment in early childhood care, but you have to spend the money wisely.
“You can’t provide a quality education program if the children and staff are starving.”
Source:
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