Regulation or Education?: How Are Provision of Food and Mealtime Practices Represented in Australia's National Quality Standards for Early Education and Care

Deep-seated presuppositions are identified as underlying the problems. These include the idea that food is risky and that children's good health is a personal responsibility to be reinforced by educators. Additionally, a deficit in parent nutrition knowledge is assumed and remediation through education is advocated. Implications for children, families and ECEC services are discussed and suggestions for alternative representations of the 'problem' as one of learning opportunity are presented.