Case Study 1

Natalie’s nursery has a healthy eating policy, which is very well supported by most parents. Even the fussiest eaters soon join in completely in healthy mealtimes and eat well. Natalie is the key person for a new 3 year old coming into her room, Thomas. Thomas’s mother, Caroline, advises Natalie that although there is a healthy eating policy at the nursery they will have to make an exception for Thomas as he will only eat waffles and tomato ketchup, Thomas has this for every meal with the exception of breakfasts when he will at times eat Coco Puffs. Natalie explains to Caroline that they need to work together as a team to sort this out, as the nursery cannot agree to serving waffles and tomato sauce every day or for every meal in the day. Caroline gets quite upset thinking that her son might go hungry. However, Caroline agrees to try out a new plan with Natalie. Thomas has his waffles at home, but no waffles at nursery. He is given a plate and bowls of food to choose from and dish up for himself, but he will not take anything. Natalie asks Thomas if he would like to try just one bite of potato; Thomas firmly refuses. Natalie calmly asks Thomas to let her know if he gets hungry later and that she will save some food on a plate in the fridge for him. Thomas stomps away from the table. This pattern carries on for 4 days, with no one making any fuss or giving in to Thomas’s preference for waffles. On the 5th day, Thomas is offered a spoon to serve himself pasta; he takes the smallest spoon and gives himself 3 pieces of twirly pasta, with a light cheese sauce on it; he eats 2 pieces. This slow start continues with other foods, and 8 weeks later Thomas is eating just like any other child; he eats most things but sometimes dislikes and refuses a particular food. Throughout the 8-week period Natalie meets Caroline almost every day to reassure her and encourage her to do the same at home. There are occasional tears from mum and scenes from Thomas but gradually Thomas learns to accept a more varied and healthy diet.

• How do you think the mother felt leaving her son in Natalie’s care knowing she would not give in to his demand for waffles?
• What feelings do you think Natalie went through?
• Was Natalie right to do what she did?
• Could she have done things any differently?
• Would Thomas have started eating normally if the mum had insisted on him being allowed the waffles?

It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the response you have chosen to this scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague and ask them to tell you if they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your assessor.