Nutrition Policy
Heathy Eating
- Children are served nutritious breakfasts, lunches and afternoon snacks.
- Country food will be served as often as possible, ideally twice a week.
- Foods high in sugar, fat or salt are not consumed at the Childcare centre except for special events.
- Menu is the same for all children and adapted according to the age of the child.
- Children control how much they eat and are encouraged to eat by themselves.
- Children are not permitted to bring beverages or foods from home without a special permission from the centre.
Water
- Water is the main beverage and is always made available to children in all rooms at the centre.
Milk
- Mothers are welcomed at the centre if they want to breastfeed their children.
- Under 1 year of age, infant will be served breast milk and or infant formula provided by parents.
- After one 1 year of age, 3.25% milk will be served to the children. Breast milk can continue to be offered 2 years old and beyond.
- After 1 year of age, the maximum amount of milk (or formula) served is 1 ½ cups (12 ounces) per child per day.
Juice
- 100% pure fruit juice is only served once a month on the menu for a maximum serving size of half a cup per child. No other sugary drinks are allowed.
Bottles and sippy Cups
- Bottles are allowed only for infants under 18 months old.
- Bottles and sippy cups are not allowed at nap time.
- At 1 year of age children can drink from open cup without assistance. Open cups are encouraged, but sippy cups are allowed until 24 months.
Allergies and special diets
- Menus for children with special diets will be dealt with individually, as the need arises.
- If a child has been diagnosed with food allergies, ensure that staff members get all clarification they need before the child starts to attend the childcare centre.
- For an allergic child attending the centre, a commitment from his/her parents is needed to sensitize staff, children and their families to remain constantly vigilant around their allergic child.
