Elder Street                                       EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRE

Menu

NSW Health Department guidelines state that children's centres must provide children with at least 50% of their daily recommended nutrients in the form of safe and appetising foods. Our Cook Catherine ensures that these nutritional requirements are met. The emphasis on whole foods with plenty of raw and cooked fruit and vegetables. We encourage and promote a low salt and reduced sugar diet. The menu also incorporates food from a variety of cultures. The menu is based on a six week rotation covering all food groups.

Breakfast is available if required for early starters, morning tea, a 2 course lunch, afternoon tea and late afternoon tea for late leavers, are all provided. Milk, water and occasionally diluted juice, are offered at morning and afternoon tea, with water being available with lunch.

Please find below some sample menus.

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         MENUS

GOOD FOR KIDS GOOD FOR LIFE

What is Good for Kids…Good for Life?  This program is Australia’s largest ever program promoting healthy eating and physical activity for kids aged up to 15 years.  The program provides practical information, as well as new programs and systems in schools, child care centres, sports clubs and health services to help children, parents, carers and the wider community, know more about healthy weight, good nutrition and physical activity.  Many of our staff have attended specialised training in relation to the Nutrition and Physical Activity components of this program and all staff are aware of our centre’s Food and Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs

By following the guidelines set down by this program we aim to promote a healthy lifestyle for children by providing food, food and nutrition education which is consistent with the National Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents, state regulations and food safety principles.  These will be appropriate to the child’s age, cultural background, religion and/or medical needs.

FOOD AND DRINKS CONSUMED WHILST IN CARE FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS 

As our service operates for more than 8 hours per day we incorporate into our weekly menu the following:

·                     1 child size serve of meat or meat alternative

·                     3 to 5 serves of vegetables

·                     1 child size serve of  fruit

·                     3 child size serves of dairy

·                     3 to 5 child size serves of bread, cereal, rice, pasta or noodles

(For children 1-2 years of age, we utilise the lower end of the scale eg, 3 veg)

DRINKS

Water is the best way for kids and adults alike to quench their thirst and avoid unneeded sugar and kilojoules.  Milk like other dairy foods, is an important source of calcium for healthy bones and teeth.  For children less than 12 months of age, breast milk or infant formula should be the main drink.  Offer plain full cream milk only after 12 months of age when your child has reduced the amount of breastmilk or formula they are having.  Depending on their age and what other dairy food they eat (eg yoghurt, cheese) kids may only need one or two 250ml glasses of milk per day.  Teenagers need more dairy foods than primary school age kids and toddlers.  Everyone over 2 years of age should be encouraged to drink reduced-fat milk, not full cream milk.  Plain reduced fat milk is best.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

I Move, We Move is the physical activity component of the Good For Kids Good For Life program.  There is growing evidence that the importance of physical activity and the development of fundamental movement skills in young children.  Learning about healthy and active lifestyles the significance of physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing is integral to developing children’s self confidence, and is therefore an essential par of early childhood programs. 

Elder Street Early Childhood Centre follows these guidelines by having a Physical Activity Policy and including fundamental movement skills, physical active play, planned adult guided movement activities in the children’s programs.

Please refer to our Nutrition, Physical Activity policies and Menu for further information.