Healthy Eating and Food Allergies

• Ontario Dietitians in Public Health (ODPH) Child Care Healthy Eating Resources
  These child care nutrition resources were created to support child care providers across Ontario in planning and preparing healthy food for children in their care. They reflect current best practices for creating supportive nutrition environments in the child care setting and will help providers meet the food and drink requirements set out in the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (section 42 of Ont. Reg. 137/15).
• Diététistes en santé publique de l’Ontario Ressources en français
  Ces ressources sur la nutrition pour les services de garde d’enfants ont été développées dans le but d’aider les fournisseurs de services de garde à planifier et à préparer des aliments sains pour les enfants sous leurs soins. Elles reflètent les pratiques exemplaires courantes pour la création d’environnements alimentaires sains dans les services de garde et aideront les fournisseurs de services de garde à respecter les exigences relatives aux aliments et boissons de la Loi de 2014 sur la garde d’enfants et la petite enfance (article 42 du Règl. de l’Ont. 137/15).
• Gardening at Your Child Care Centre (Health and Social Services Haldimand and Norfok)
  Having a garden at your child care centre is a great way to teach children about how plants grow and to get them interested in fruits and vegetables.
• 10 TIPS TO HELP YOUR CHILD - Have a Positive Relationship with Food & their Body Children are exposed to many messages about food, health, and bodies through media, family, friends and school. Our personal experiences impact how we talk about food and bodies with our children. In the link provided you will find tips to help your child develop a positive relationship with food and their body.

Indigenous Resources

• MyABBC.ca  Aboriginal Babies and Beyond Coalition
  Providing Culturally Based Indigenous Child and Family Services including Family & Professional Workshops.

Infectious Disease Resources

• A Guide to Common Infections Available in English and French
  Various types of infections, signs and symptoms, how it's spread, when it’s contagious, when to exclude from school and if it's is reportable to public health.  Please note that this was written prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and to follow the COVID-19 guidance documents below regarding any COVID-19 symptoms.
• Dowloadable PDF: Childcare Centre Illness Tracking List
  Be certain to call MLHU's Infectious Disease Control Team at 519-663-5317 if you suspect an outbreak and for infectious disease team fax number and privacy information. For more information about outbreak protocols, please read the December 6th EYO eNewsletter.

Mental Health

• Children and Mental Health
  Did you know babies and young children have "mental health"? Find out more about what to look for and what to do.
• Childcare Providers and Mental Health
  Working as an Early Childhood Educator is challenging at the best of time. Find tips and resource to take care of yourself.

• Parent Resources (Bookmark with QR Code)
  The Health Unit's parent resource bookmark inlcudes a QR code directing users to our online parent resource library. If you would like printed copies of this resource to share with parents and caregivers at your centres, please email EarlyYearsOutreach@mlhu.on.ca, let us know how many printed copies you would like to receive, and inlcude your location's address in the email. Also available in French, Spanish, and Arabic. 

Safe Healthy Children:  A Health and Safety Manual for Childcare Providers

• Safe Healthy Children: A Health and Safety Manual for Childcare Providers (PDF)
  A resource for childcare providers in Middlesex and London. Find information, resources and links to legal requirements. NEW chapter added: Healthy Eating and Food Allergies.