Food provision in daycare: perspective of daycare staff and parents in association with nutrient intake and dietary diversity of under-five children

This study aims to compare dietary diversity score (DDS), nutrient intakes and child feeding practices between under-five children who are provided meals by daycare (PM) or bring a lunchbox (LB) and to explore the perspective of mothers, daycare staff and management on their role in providing balanced and nutritious meals for under-five children. The cross-sectional study used mixed method. The quantitative part assessed nutrient intakes using 2-day non-consecutive dietary records and child feeding practices using Child Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ). Qualitative research employed WeValue Insitu and Perspective Exploration. The study was conducted at daycares in Ministries/Agencies in Jakarta, Indonesia, involving 138 children (6–59 months) and 124 working mothers. The qualitative sample comprised three working mothers, five daycare staff, and five daycare managers. Although DDS was higher among children aged 6–23 months in the PM group, energy and nutrient intakes were lower, with higher inadequacy of folate and calcium. Mothers in the LB had higher scores in environment, encouragement of balance and variety, and restriction subscales. Qualitative data identified role of daycare in providing meals or advice on lunchbox menus, skipping breakfast, eating environment between home and daycare, and nutrition knowledge. The higher nutrient intakes in LB were concurrent with better child feeding practices. Food provision in daycare, if not accompanied by nutrition education for parents, may lead to parents over reliance to daycare. Nutrition education is needed to enhance attitudes and awareness of working mothers and daycare staff regarding breakfast consumption, menu planning, child feeding practices, and portion sizes.