What We Eat

Nutrition and Meals

Good nutrition is vital to children’s physical and mental development. We serve fresh, healthy foods including in-season produce, home-made, and organic products whenever possible. Your child(ren) will be provided with lunch and two snacks daily. We are happy to provide breakfast if needed, as well. Please speak to us if you require this additional service. We regularly include the children in meal preparation to encourage the development of good eating habits. When children are involved in the meal preparation process, they feel more comfortable trying a variety of healthy foods, some of which they may be hesitant or resistant to eat otherwise.

A selection of nutritionally balanced, high quality foods are prepared and served at our home each day. Meals are served family style and each child is encouraged to try each food that is offered. In order to limit our time away from the children and to promote healthy eating habits, food is available only at scheduled times. Children who choose to not eat will need to wait until the next meal or snack. Meal times are scheduled so that no child will go more than three hours without being offered food. Meals are served at 9am, 12pm and 3pm. If your child is absent during a scheduled meal, it is your responsibility to feed him/her before he/she arrives.

Drinks

1% milk is served with each meal (1-2 year olds are served homogenized milk) and water at both snacks. Water is not limited and is available throughout the day. Fruit juice is only served occasionally and only during snacks.

Formula and Starter Foods

Infants under the age of one are served formula or expressed breast milk as their primary nutrition source. Once solid foods are introduced at home and each new food has been eaten for at least one week we will serve those foods as well. Infant formula, breast milk, and baby foods are supplied by parents. Parents are required to inform us of each new food being introduced and if any reactions occur.

Breastfeeding

We are happy to provide mothers with the support they need to continue breastfeeding while their child is in our care. Mothers are welcome to come and nurse their child at any time of the day. We will provide a clean private place with access to an outlet, comfortable chair, and running water for nursing or expressing milk. Space in the freezer and refrigerator will be available for expressed milk; please provide your own containers labelled with name and date.

Allergies

Because many food allergies and sensitivities can result in severe or life-threatening reactions, we require that you indicate any allergies or sensitivities your child may have. All efforts will be made to prevent your child coming into contact with the food in question.

Special Treats

Birthday and holiday treats help make these days even more special for our children. Although we greatly appreciate it when parents bring in treats, it is not necessary. If you wish to send a special birthday or holiday treat please speak to us ahead of time so we won’t plan a treat and end up with double treats. If you are unable to send a birthday treat, we will provide one so we can all celebrate your child’s birthday together.

Breakfast

  • Granola, fruit yogurt, and sliced bananas.
  • Blueberry buttermilk pancakes with syrup and melon.
  • Scrambled eggs, English muffins, mixed berries.
  • Apple cinnamon oatmeal with raisins and peaches.
  • Toasted whole grain bagels with strawberry cream cheese and apple sauce.
  • Fresh homemade raisin bread, yogurt, and pears.
  • Fruit and yogurt smoothies, whole grain toast.
  • Hash brown potatoes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and orange wedges.
  • Crepes with Nutella and bananas.
  • Cold cereal with milk and fruit salad.
  • Muesli Pita with cream cheese, grapes

Morning Snack

  • Bran muffins, apples sauce.
  • French toast sticks, strawberries.
  • Yogurt, granola, and berry parfaits.
  • English muffins with almond butter, fruit salad.
  • Whole grain toast with raspberry jam.
  • Cereal mix-ups, bananas.
  • Trail mix with dried fruit.
  • Yogurt and cantaloupe.
  • Pears and cottage cheese.
  • Banana bread with walnuts and raisins.
  • Yogurt with multi-grain crackers.

Lunch

  • Turkey & spinach pinwheel, butternut squash soup.
  • Pasta with tomato sauce, garlic toast, and carrot sticks.
  • Chicken breast strips, shell pasta salad, bell peppers.
  • Pepperoni pita pizzas, steamed broccoli.
  • Chicken and rice bake with peas and corn.
  • Stuffed turkey breast, mashed potatoes, honey-glazed carrots.
  • Fettuccine Alfredo, chicken, and broccoli.
  • Ham and cheese sandwiches and vegetable soup.
  • Vegetable lasagne and Caesar salad
  • Hummus roll ups, vegetable tray.
  • Falafels, pita, salad.
  • Meatballs, mushroom rice, corn.
  • Shepherd’s pie, cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes.

Afternoon Snack

  • Baby carrots and Hummus.
  • Oatmeal cookies with apple slices.
  • Carrot cake muffins.
  • Baked pizza dip and tortilla chips.
  • Vegetable tray with caesar dip.
  • Arrowroot cookies and warmed pears.
  • Apple slices with cashew butter.
  • Bell pepper strips, marble cheese cubes.
  • Cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches.
  • Steamed broccoli and carrots with ranch dressing.
  • Carrot-raisin salad, whole grain crackers.
  • Fruit Kabobs with yogurt dip.
  • Corn bread and apple sauce.