Promoting healthy lifestyles from an early age can help our children live long, happy lives. Much of that learning happens in our schools and child care centres where children learn the basics of nutrition, exercise, risk avoidance and healthy living.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s role is to support the efforts of our teachers and child care staff as well as parents and caregivers. Our goal is to give our children the best start possible!
Healthy Schools Program Guide
Fall 2023 Respiratory Illness Season
- The “layers of protection” are actions that reduce the risk of illness and reduce the risk of spreading illness to others. These layers are most effective when they are used together as no one action is perfect on its own. To learn more visit the dedicated webpage.
- Memos were distributed to school board and licenced child care centre, outlining these layers of protection.
- In addition, memos were also distributed to school boards and licensed child care centres to share with families in for this year’s respiratory season.
- Thank you for helping to create a respectful, welcoming and inclusive environment for those who choose to wear a mask and for working with us to keep our schools safe places work, learn and play.
Child Care Centre Nutrition Resources
Young children need healthy foods and beverages to support their growth, development, and well-being. Since many children spend a large portion of their day and consume several meals and snacks in child care settings, child care providers need to offer nutritious foods and supportive nutrition environments. Child care providers have an important role in helping children develop lifelong healthy habits.
These child care nutrition resources were created to support child care providers in planning and preparing healthy food for children in their care, as well as to create a supportive nutrition environment for children to eat, learn, play and grow.
- Menu Planning & Supportive Nutrition Environments in Child Care Settings – Practical Guide (English) (PDF)
- Planification de menus et environnements alimentaires sains dans les services de garde d'enfants - Guide Pratique (français) (PDF)
- Menu and Nutrition Environment – Self-Assessment Tool (English) (PDF)
- Outil d'autoévaluation des menus et de l'environnement alimentaire dans les services de garde d'enfants (français) (PDF)
- Paint Your Plate with Vegetables and Fruit – A Toolkit for Ontario Child Care Providers (PDF)
For Further Information
Please call the Healthy Schools program at (807) 625-5900
or toll-free: 1 (888) 294-6630