Nutrition
Nutritious meals and snacks are essential for young children's optimal growth and development. The energy provided by healthy foods ensures that children will be ready to fully participate in the day's learning opportunities. During meals and snacks preschoolers learn how to make nutritious choices, discover a wide variety of different foods and develop healthy eating habits.
We eat our meals family style. In family style dining, all food is placed in serving bowls on the table and children are encouraged to serve themselves or serve themselves with help from staff. Staff sit's at the table with the children. Children and staff have conversation while learning good manners in a pleasant mealtime setting. Children can learn and practice many social skills, such as taking turns, passing food to others, saying please and thank you, and helping to set the table.
We are a juice free program serving milk and water. Our meals are prepared following the guidlines
from the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Please see example menu.
For our infants we encourage and support breast feeding. Good nutrition is essential to the rapid growth and development that occurs during a baby’s first year. Providing infants and babies with the right foods will promote good health and give them the opportunity to enjoy new tastes and textures as they establish good eating habits. Also, feeding can help babies establish warm relationships with their parents and caregivers. Positive and supportive feeding techniques are essential in allowing babies to eat well and to develop healthy attitudes toward themselves and others.
