Meals and Menus
• Children's meals are prepared and cooked in-house by our own chef.
• Our menus supply the children with 70% of their daily nutritional needs. (click here to access 5 week Rotation Menus PDF)
• Our centre has a 'no junk food' policy, we focus on healthy food options. We provide a separate infant menu and cater for all known allergies.
• We strictly follow the Weekly Nutrition Requirements for Long Day (Based on Nutrition Department of the Central Coast Health Services in NSW) - 2 Red meat, 1 Chicken, 1 Fish, 1 Vegetarian (per week), 1 fruit, 3 Dairy and 2 serves of Bread (per day).
Other information as follows:
Meal Times
Meals are provided in an unhurried and relaxed atmosphere where children engage in conversation with carers and peers. Carers role model acceptable social behaviour through participation at mealtimes.
Staff members interact with the children – encouraging good eating habits, the appreciation of different food tastes and the correct use of eating and serving utensils.
Information relating to each child's daily eating habits will be made available to parents.
Weekly menus are displayed for parents to help you plan your child's meals at home.
The centre provides breakfast/morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Morning Tea
The centre provides a simple morning tea at an appropriate time between children arriving at the centre and lunch time – this time will vary from room to room. Morning Tea will consist of a nutritious snack, details of which can be seen on our weekly menu displayed for families.
Lunch
Daily menus offer a range of nutritious meals for children balancing all five food groups and following the dietary guidelines. Lunch consists of simple dishes which allow children some choice and alternatives if they refuse the main meal. Sandwiches are provided for some lunches following Department of Community Services guidelines. These are a healthy alternative that children are almost guaranteed to eat.
Afternoon Tea
Meals are provided at regular intervals which allows children to graze and eat when they are hungry. Afternoon tea is also a nutritious snack.
Drinking Water
Drinking water is available throughout the day for children.
Allergies and Intolerances
All allergies and intolerances are considered when ordering meals. If your child has an allergy or intolerance on enrolment the Centre Manager will meet with you to discuss this. If your child develops an allergy or intolerance during his/her time in care please see the Centre Manager.
We will endeavour to accommodate your child's specific needs within the centre and ensure appropriate documentation is completed as per our Allergies and Anaphylaxis policies and procedures. In some cases where allergies or intolerances can not be catered for, parents will be asked to provide supplementary food at their expense.
Bottles and formula for infants
The centre provides bottles and the following types of formula and milk:
S26, S26 Progress, S26 Progress gold, Infasoy, cows milk and soy milk. Parents of children on milk or formula not included in the list above are asked to provide this for their child.
N.B. formula brands and types may change over time.
