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We aim to instil in all children the importance of maintaining a lifelong respectful relationship with food with a particular focus on nutrition & sustainability. It is important children understand where food comes from and we use fresh produce from own vegetable gardens wherever possible.
HEALTHY FOOD, HEALTHY KIDS
We aim to instil in all children the importance of maintaining a lifelong respectful relationship with food with a particular focus on nutrition & sustainability. It is important children understand where food comes from and we use fresh produce from own vegetable gardens wherever possible.
We shop locally for our produce wherever possible and support local farmers in their business. Our cook is passionate about providing quality food with exciting, tasty, nutritious options and we are always looking to expand our selection for the children – so please don’t hesitate to stop in and see our cooks and offer your recipes. We publish our recipes regularly so that foods that your children enjoy or talk about eating can be reproduced by you at home.
Our menu changes with the seasons (to ensure that we are using seasonal foods as well as offering meals that are best suited to the seasons) as well as daily (we have a four week rotating menu).
If your child has food sensitivities, allergies or cultural needs – please discuss these with the Director. In most instances, we can provide an alternative on our menu. As with everything that we do here at Ducklings, your feedback is always welcomed.
SUPPORTING HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES EARLY
Children’s beliefs and attitudes about food, as well as their eating habits, start at home and very early in life. As a provider of food to your child during this critical time, we take our role seriously and know that children who grow up enjoying a variety of nutritious foods from the Five Food Groups are more likely to make their own healthy choices as they get older.
We also design cooking experiences with our children (particularly in the older rooms) to allow them to better understand what is involved with providing good nutritious food – and to allow them the sensory experience of interacting with food in its various states eg raw vs cooked, skinned vs peeled etc.
Our menu and curriculum is designed to teach children to:
- Talk about different foods and their role in our health and wellbeing. This helps children understand about healthy choices.
- Choose ‘everyday foods’ for home and day-care from the Five Food Groups.
- Save ‘sometimes’ foods for special occasions.
- Provide a variety of types and colours of fresh vegetables and fruit that are in season
- Eat mainly wholegrain cereal foods and breads
- Eat a healthy breakfast every day
- Drink plenty of water instead of sugary drinks like cordial, energy drinks, sports drinks, fruit drinks, vitamin waters and soft drink.
- Learn about how foods are grown and where they come from
- Try new foods and recipes – help with cooking and preparing foods and drinks too
- Minimise distractions at mealtimes – make this an enjoyable group time
- Wash their hands before eating or cooking
- Be physically active – play outside, dance, play sport, play active games. And at home – walk the dog or run around at the local park.