perceptions and experiences of early childhood development practitioners regarding menu implementation in early childhood development centers
1
Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Menu implementation in Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs) plays a critical role in promoting child nutrition, growth, and development. However, effective implementation of planned menus remains a challenge in many low- and middle-income settings. This study explored the perceptions and experiences of ECDC practitioners regarding menu implementation in ECDCs within the Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province.
METHODS:
A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive research design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to select 24 ECDC practitioners from rural, peri-urban, and urban ECDCs. Data were collected through one-on-one semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis following Tesch’s eight steps.
RESULTS:
The findings revealed that practitioners generally valued menus and considered them important tools for guiding daily operations, supporting child development, and promoting healthy eating habits. However, menu implementation differed markedly by location. Rural and peri-urban ECDCs experienced significant challenges, including inadequate and delayed government funding, inconsistent parental fee payments, logistical barriers such as load shedding and water shortages, limited storage facilities, and theft. These constraints often resulted in reduced menu quality and limited dietary diversity. In contrast, urban ECDCs, which relied on stable parental fees and had better infrastructure, reported fewer challenges and more consistent menu implementation. Practitioners adopted various coping strategies, including seasonal menu planning, bulk food storage, vegetable gardening, and reliance on stakeholder support for training and resources. While these strategies assisted in mitigating some challenges, they were insufficient to address systemic and structural barriers.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study concludes that effective menu implementation in ECDCs requires more than practitioner knowledge and commitment. Sustainable improvements depend on adequate funding, reliable infrastructure, professional support, and coordinated stakeholder involvement. The study recommends strengthening ECDC nutrition subsidies, improving payment systems, expanding capacity-building initiatives, and promoting multisectoral collaboration to enhance menu implementation and child nutrition outcomes in ECDCs.
Menu implementation in Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs) plays a critical role in promoting child nutrition, growth, and development. However, effective implementation of planned menus remains a challenge in many low- and middle-income settings. This study explored the perceptions and experiences of ECDC practitioners regarding menu implementation in ECDCs within the Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province.
METHODS:
A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive research design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to select 24 ECDC practitioners from rural, peri-urban, and urban ECDCs. Data were collected through one-on-one semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis following Tesch’s eight steps.
RESULTS:
The findings revealed that practitioners generally valued menus and considered them important tools for guiding daily operations, supporting child development, and promoting healthy eating habits. However, menu implementation differed markedly by location. Rural and peri-urban ECDCs experienced significant challenges, including inadequate and delayed government funding, inconsistent parental fee payments, logistical barriers such as load shedding and water shortages, limited storage facilities, and theft. These constraints often resulted in reduced menu quality and limited dietary diversity. In contrast, urban ECDCs, which relied on stable parental fees and had better infrastructure, reported fewer challenges and more consistent menu implementation. Practitioners adopted various coping strategies, including seasonal menu planning, bulk food storage, vegetable gardening, and reliance on stakeholder support for training and resources. While these strategies assisted in mitigating some challenges, they were insufficient to address systemic and structural barriers.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study concludes that effective menu implementation in ECDCs requires more than practitioner knowledge and commitment. Sustainable improvements depend on adequate funding, reliable infrastructure, professional support, and coordinated stakeholder involvement. The study recommends strengthening ECDC nutrition subsidies, improving payment systems, expanding capacity-building initiatives, and promoting multisectoral collaboration to enhance menu implementation and child nutrition outcomes in ECDCs.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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