Self Assessment Questionnaire (Saq): A Part Of Choice Creating Healthy Opportunities In Child care Environments

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| Attempts: 412 | Questions: 35 | Updated: Feb 22, 2025
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1. Food is served in a form that young children can eat with minimum assistance and without choking.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Food is served in a form that young children can eat with minimum assistance and without choking."

Children serve themselves during meals and snacks with adult supervision. Food is cut and prepared appropriately. Consider the child’s ability to chew, pick up foods and use utensils when planning meals and snacks.

See more about Best Practice #12 on pages 18 and 57 of the CHOICE Manual.
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About This Quiz
Self Assessment Questionnaire (Saq): A Part Of Choice Creating Healthy Opportunities In Child care Environments - Quiz

The Self Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is meant to be used by child care center directors, staff, and family child care providers as a first step to help develop and implement nutrition and physical activity policy. It is designed to be brief, easy to use, understand and interpret. It... see moreis meant to be a "snap shot" of your child care environment at the moment you are answering the questions.
1. The SAQ has 35 Best Practice statements, arranged in four categories:
* Nutrition: Feeding Practices
* Nutrition: Food Served
* Physical Activity
* Staff and Parent Training

2. The statements in three of the categories can be answered by choosing one of the four options:
* Already doing
* Making progress in doing
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2.
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2. Meals and snacks are scheduled at regular times.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Meals and snacks are scheduled at regular times."

CHOICE Manual.
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3. Children with special needs have their nutrition needs taken into account.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Children with special needs have their nutrition needs taken into account." A written description of nutrition or feeding needs is required from a child’s physician. Parents and staff discuss how these needs will be met while a child is in care.  See more about Best Practice #11 on pages 18 and 56 of the CHOICE Manual.
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4. Portion sizes are age appropriate.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Portion sizes are age appropriate." Meals and snacks meet the requirements of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. See more about Best Practice #6 on pages 15 and 51 of the CHOICE Manual.
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5. Children are not required to eat all the food on their plates.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Children are not required to eat all the food on their plates." Food is served in a manner that allows children to select amounts and varieties of foods they will eat, and to stop eating when they are full.  See more about Best Practice #9 on pages 17 and 54 of the CHOICE Manual.
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6. Parents are informed about what their children are eating.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Parents are informed about what their children are eating." Daily information is provided to parents about their child’s activities and needs including eating and physical activity.

See more about Best Practice #2 on pages 13 and 47 of the CHOICE Manual.
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7. Mealtimes are relaxed, calm and with shared conversation.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Mealtimes are relaxed, calm and with shared conversation." • Quiet time precedes meals to promote relaxed eating.  • Meal schedules are long enough to allow for conversation and passing food several times. See more about Best Practice #7 on pages 16 and 52 of the CHOICE Manual.
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8. Daily play and planned movement experiences both indoors and outdoors are provided to children.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Daily play and planned movement experiences both indoors and outdoors are provided to children." Structured physical activity is scheduled throughout the day as recommended by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education in the physical activity guidelines for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Unstructured playtime and planned movement experiences, both indoor and outdoor, are included in the daily schedule. See more about Best Practice #26 on pages 30 and 71 of the CHOICE Manual.
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9. Restriction of play time is not used as a disciplinary tool.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Restriction of play time is not used as a disciplinary tool. Children should not be denied scheduled physical education, physical activity or play as a punishment. Physical activity should never be used as a reward or incentive. See more about Best Practice #29 on pages 32 and 74 of the CHOICE Manual.
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10. Media time for children is used only for educational purposes.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Media time for children is used only for educational purposes."

Restrict media (television, video, computer use and games) time that is not part of the educational plan. No media should be used by children under the age of 2. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours of total screen time a day for older children. See more about Best Practice #31 on pages 33 and 76 of theCHOICE Manual.
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11. Training opportunities are provided for staff on child nutrition.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Training opportunities are provided for staff on child nutrition."

Staff is provided with education on child nutrition and written policy regarding sitting with children at mealtimes, sharing the same foods and being important role models. See more about Best Practice #33 on pages 34 and 78 of the CHOICE Manual.
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12. Adults sit with children at mealtime.

Explanation

Best Practice for Adults sit with children at mealtime." Adults sit with children and supervise the mealtime environment. See more about Best Practice #13 on pages 19 and 58 of the CHOICE Manual.
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13. Staff participate in physical activities with children

Explanation

Best Practice for "Staff participate in physical activities with children." Adults join children in physical activity and demonstrate movement during structured play while supervising children.  See more about Best Practice #28 on pages 31 and 73 of the CHOICE Manual.
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14. Children decide which foods they will eat from the foods offered.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Children decide which foods they will eat from the foods offered." Food is served in a manner that allows children to select amounts and varieties of foods they will eat. See more about Best Practice # 8 on pages 16 and 53 of the CHOICE Manual.
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15. Water is freely available both indoors and outdoors.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Water is freely available both indoors and outdoors." Water is easily accessible for children. Drinking fountains are installed at appropriate levels (for centers). Water coolers are brought outside and on field trips. Pitchers of water and single-service cups are available to children if drinking fountain or sink is not conveniently located. See more about Best Practice #18 on pages 22 and 63 of the CHOICE Manual.
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16. Menus are posted for parents to see.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Menus are posted for parents to see."

Daily information is provided to parents about their child’s activities and needs including eating and physical activity.

See more about Best Practice #4 on pages 14 and 49 of the CHOICE Manual.
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17. Foods are served that reflect the ethnicity and cultures of all children in the center/home.

Explanation

Best Practice for Adults eat the same foods as children at mealtime."

Child care providers learn about food customs of all children in the program and serve meals and snacks consistent with this knowledge. See more about Best Practice #15 on pages 20 and 60 of the CHOICE Manual.
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18. Activities, equipment and outside play areas are developmentally appropriate and safe.

Explanation

Best Practice for Activities, equipment and outside play areas are developmentally appropriate and safe." Activities and equipment are age appropriate, and all children, regardless of age, have equipment to play with and on that provides them the chance to have fun and be active. See more about Best Practice #30 on pages 32 and 75 of the CHOICE Manual.
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19. Adults eat the same foods as children at mealtime.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Adults eat the same foods as children at mealtime." Adults eat with children and share the same foods while supervising the mealtime environment. See more about Best Practice #14 on pages 19 and 59 of the CHOICE Manual.
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20. Special occasions and holidays are celebrated with mostly healthy foods or with non-food treats.

Explanation

Best Practice for Special occasions and holidays are celebrated with mostly healthy foods or with non-food treats." A policy about food brought from home addresses food safety and nutrition and requires prior approval of any foods brought for sharing. See more about Best Practice #16 on pages 20 and 61 of the CHOICE Manual.
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21. Parents are provided a supportive breastfeeding environment.

Explanation

Best Practice for Parents are provided a supportive breastfeeding environment." Written nutrition policy should include guidelines for correct  labeling, storing, handling, thawing, warming of breast milk, as well as, holding and feeding the breast fed infant. Ideally a quiet corner can be provided for the mother who is able to visit to breast feed her baby. See more about Best Practice #17 on pages 21 and 62 of the CHOICE Manual.
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22. Training opportunities are provided for staff on physical activity for children.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Training opportunities are provided for staff on physical activity for children." Staff is provided with education on physical activity and written policy regarding supervision and participation in physical activity with children, including the importance of developmentally appropriate activities and role modeling. See more about Best Practice #32 on pages 34 and 77 of the CHOICE Manual.
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23. If food is brought from home, parents are provided with guidelines.

Explanation

Best Practice for "If food is brought from home, parents are provided with guidelines."

A policy about food brought from home addresses food safety and nutrition and requires prior approval of any foods brought for sharing.

See more about Best Practice #3 on pages 14 and 48 of the CHOICE Manual.
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24. Parents are provided information on child nutrition and healthy eating.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Parents are provided information that encourages physical activity at home." Information is provided about meals and snacks served in care, by posting daily menus with nutrition education resources and tips, to encourage healthy eating at home. Parents are also provided with information about how to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), WIC, Summer Lunch, and other programs to help with access to nutritious foods. See more about Best Practice #34 on pages 35 and 80 of the CHOICE Manual.
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25. Fruit, including fresh, canned in water or own juice, frozen or dried

Explanation

Best Practice for serving "Fruit, including fresh, canned in water or own juice, frozen or dried:" • Serve a variety of fruits throughout the day at meals and snack time. Daily recommended serving:

Age 1 year is 1 cup,

2–3 years is 1 cup, 

4–8 years is 1½cups, and

9–12 years is  1½cups. See more about Best Practice #23 on pages 27 and 68 of the CHOICE Manual.
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26. Parents receive written nutrition policies upon enrollment.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Parents receive written nutrition policies upon enrollment." Support parents’ efforts to evaluate the quality of child care by providing information on nutrition, physical activity policies and meal schedules. 

See more about Best Practice #1 on pages 13 and 46 of the CHOICE Manual.
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27. Information is provided to parents about their children's physical activity choices while in child care.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Information is provided to parents about their children’s physical activity choices while in child care." Daily information is provided to parents about their child’s activities and needs including eating and physical activity. See more about Best Practice #27 on pages 31 and 72 of the CHOICE Manual.
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28. Parents receive written physical activity policy upon enrollment.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Parents receive written physical activity policy upon enrollment." Support parents’ efforts to evaluate the quality of child care by providing information on nutrition, physical activity policies and meal schedules. See more about Best Practice #25 on pages 29 and 70 of the CHOICE Manual.
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29. Parents are provided information that encourages physical activity at home.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Parents are provided information that encourages physical activity at home."

Daily information is provided to parents about their child’s favorite activities at school with ideas and suggestions for physical activity at home. See more about Best Practice #34 on pages 35 and 79 of the CHOICE Manual.
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30. Milk served to children ages 2 years and older

Explanation

Best Practice for serving "Milk served to children ages 2 years and older:" All milk served to children 2 years or older should be 1% or fat free milk. Milk or a milk substitute must be offered at each meal.  • Daily recommended serving:

Age 1–8 years is 2 cups;

9–13 years is 3 cups. See more about Best Practice #24 on pages 28 and 69 of the CHOICE Manual.
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31. Children serve themselves from serving dishes at mealtime.

Explanation

Best Practice for "Children serve themselves from serving dishes at mealtime."

Food is served in a manner that allows children to select amounts and varieties of foods they will eat. See more about Best Practice #10 on pages 17 and 55 of the CHOICE Manual.
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32. 100% fruit juice is offered:

Explanation

Best Practice for Offering Juice: Only 100% juice should be served. Juice should be limited to no more than 4–6 ounces a day. The answer is never because most children will receive juice outside of childcare. See more about Best Practice #19 on pages 23 and 64 of the CHOICE Manual.
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33. Chicken nuggets, fish sticks, hot dogs, corn dogs, bologna or other lunch meat, sausage or bacon

Explanation

Best Practice for serving "Chicken nuggets, fish sticks, hot dogs, corn dogs, bologna or other lunch meat, sausage or bacon:"

High fat, high salt, fired or processed sources of protein should be offered to children no more than two times per week.  Ideally the answer is 1 time per week because most children are also served these foods outside of child care.  Never is also an acceptable answer.   Best Practice #20 on pages 24 and 65 of the CHOICE Manual.
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34. Vegetables including fresh, frozen or canned

Explanation

Best Practice for serving vegetables including fresh, frozen or canned:
Serve a variety of vegetables throughout the day at meals and snack time.
Daily recommended serving:

 Age

1 year is ¾ cup,

2–3 years is 1 cup, 

4–8 years is 1½cups,

9-12 years is 2½cups.

See more about Best Practice #22 on pages 26 and 67 of the CHOICE Manual.
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35. Whole grain bread, oatmeal, whole grain cereal, brown rice, whole wheat tortillas, corn tortillas or other whole grains.

Explanation

Best Practice for serving "Whole grain bread, oatmeal, whole grain cereal, brown rice, whole wheat tortillas, corn tortillas or other whole grains:"

Make at least half your grains whole grains. Look for whole grain to be listed as the first ingredient. Choose foods that are highest in fiber (cereals, breads, pastas, etc.). Baked goods that are high in sugar and fat should be avoided or limited, such as cinnamon rolls, toaster pastries, muffins, and donuts. Baked snacks that are high in sugar or fat should be avoided or limited, such as cookies, cakes, and rice treats. Cereals that have more than 6 grams of sugar per serving are not recommended.

See more about Best Practice #21 on pages 25 and 66 of the CHOICE Manual.
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Food is served in a form that young children can eat with minimum...
Meals and snacks are scheduled at regular times.
Children with special needs have their nutrition needs taken into...
Portion sizes are age appropriate.
Children are not required to eat all the food on their plates.
Parents are informed about what their children are eating.
Mealtimes are relaxed, calm and with shared conversation.
Daily play and planned movement experiences both indoors and outdoors...
Restriction of play time is not used as a disciplinary tool.
Media time for children is used only for educational purposes.
Training opportunities are provided for staff on child nutrition.
Adults sit with children at mealtime.
Staff participate in physical activities with children
Children decide which foods they will eat from the foods offered.
Water is freely available both indoors and outdoors.
Menus are posted for parents to see.
Foods are served that reflect the ethnicity and cultures of all...
Activities, equipment and outside play areas are developmentally...
Adults eat the same foods as children at mealtime.
Special occasions and holidays are celebrated with mostly healthy...
Parents are provided a supportive breastfeeding environment.
Training opportunities are provided for staff on physical activity for...
If food is brought from home, parents are provided with guidelines.
Parents are provided information on child nutrition and healthy...
Fruit, including fresh, canned in water or own juice, frozen or dried
Parents receive written nutrition policies upon enrollment.
Information is provided to parents about their children's physical...
Parents receive written physical activity policy upon enrollment.
Parents are provided information that encourages physical activity at...
Milk served to children ages 2 years and older
Children serve themselves from serving dishes at mealtime.
100% fruit juice is offered:
Chicken nuggets, fish sticks, hot dogs, corn dogs, bologna or other...
Vegetables including fresh, frozen or canned
Whole grain bread, oatmeal, whole grain cereal, brown rice, whole...
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