Well-fed children are happy children – especially when it comes to learning and growing! At Child’s Play Early Learning Centres, we know that when little ones have full tummies, they’re better equipped to concentrate and have the energy to take on physical and mental challenges too. That’s why we’ve carefully crafted a 4-week rotating seasonal menu that caters to different dietary requirements and allergies, ensuring every child is nourished and included.
Our meals are as diverse as the little learners we serve, featuring a variety of cuisines, including Mexican, Italian, Indian, and classic Australian dishes. Plus, we’re flexible – adjusting our menu based on children’s needs and preferences, making mealtimes a truly delightful experience.
Let’s take a closer look at how our menu plays an important role in your little one’s development and how we make every mealtime delicious and nutritious!
Healthy eating, healthy learning
Studies show that proper nutrition has a direct impact on brain function. In fact, children who consume balanced meals rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins perform better both academically and socially. Foods with high nutritional value actually have the power to enhance memory, concentration, and problem-solving abilities, which are essential for our early learners.
Childcare centres play a large role, both in daily nutrition and in shaping the lifelong eating habits of our little ones. By introducing children to wholesome meals early on, we set the foundation for healthier futures encouraging children to try new things. These mealtimes are also great opportunities for social interaction, fostering conversation and engagement as children eat together.
A day in the life of a healthy child
Whether you’re looking to enrol your child in a our centres or are checking to ensure your current one is serving your little one everything they need, refer to the menu below as a great example of a nutritious menu at Child’s Play –
Breakfast
Breakfast sets the tone for the day, giving them everything they need to get started. Options like Weet-Bix, rice puffs, cornflakes with milk, or toast with spreads like vegemite or jam are great, because children get to choose what they’d like to eat, while all the options contain nutrients they need.
Morning Tea
Mid-morning snacks should be light but nourishing, keeping your little one’s energy levels consistent until lunch. We serve light yet nourishing options such as raisin toast, bananas, yoghurt with seasonal fruit salad, or vegetable platters with cheese cubes. Again, these types of snacks introduce variety while they’re all healthy and full of energy-inducing vitamins and minerals.
Lunch
Lunch is the main meal of the day! Our menu features favourites like Chinese pork chow mein, vegetarian lasagne, and crumbed fish fillets with mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables. Each meal is carefully prepared to provide a balance of whole grains, proteins, and colourful vegetables, catering to all dietary needs while introducing children to a variety of flavours.
Second Course
This meal is a lighter follow-up to lunch, designed to keep children energised without feeling too full. We serve items like fresh fruit slices or smoothies, providing a quick boost of nutrients to help them stay active and engaged in the afternoon.
Afternoon Tea
Our afternoon snacks are all about sustaining energy levels until home time. Favourites like pizza scrolls, mezze platters, or oat cookies strike the perfect balance of healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, ensuring children stay satisfied and ready for more fun and activities.
Late Snack
For children who stay a little later, we offer snacks like rice cakes, fresh fruit, pita bread, or crackers with dips are great. These snacks help tide children over until dinner at home, without filling them up too much!
It’s all about energy
Children need steady energy to thrive in childcare, and a well-planned, nutritious menu can prevent energy dips, keeping them active and attentive throughout the day. By including a balanced variety of fruits and wholesome foods, meals can provide the energy children need while supporting their overall well-being.
Taking a bite out of life
Childcare menus aren’t just about feeding children, they’re about giving little minds and bodies what they need to grow and learn.
As firm believers in how much of a role diet plays in the learning ability of little ones, Child’s Play has designed a well-balanced, delicious and nutritious menu that gets children excited about trying new things, while also making sure they’re full of all the right stuff to help them learn, play and grow. Get in touch with a Child’s Play early learning centre near you to find out more about how everything we do is to make sure your child gets the best of everything!
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