Our Childcare Meals Program
Meal Timing for Each Group of Children
The meal times for infants and toddlers are flexible and based on the needs of each individual child. Age appropriate menus are prepared for each group of children. Older children's meal times and snacks are served at the following times: 8:00 a.m. breakfast; 9:30 a.m. snack; 11:30 a.m. lunch; 2:30 p.m. snack; and a 3:30 p.m. after school snack.
Family style meals are encouraged. Staff sit at the table with the children during meals and snacks. The children are guided in proper table manners, are encouraged to try new things and have time for socialization. Food is not used as a punishment or reward. Transitions such as stories, fingerplays, songs, manipulatives, and puppets are provided before meal and snack times to minimize waiting.
Menus are posted by the kitchen and on the bulletin board in the front hall and are planned at least one week in advance. We use an eight-week rotating menu of nutritious and diverse foods.
