Meals and Nutrition
Meal times provide an important social development activity for all the children. Children learn and practise a variety of skills when participating in a meal by themselves or with some or all of their peers.
Meals
Long Day Care
The service cook provides a well-balanced menu made up of a variety of foods. These include breads and cereals, fresh fruit and vegetables, a selection of red meat, poultry and fish, eggs and dairy products. Fresh fruit and vegetables are served daily. Milk and water are offered throughout the day as needed. The service abides by Food Safety Regulations and implements a Food Safety Program. Morning and afternoon tea is provided.
Occasional Care
Children attending Nancy Vibert Child Care Service provide their own lunch. It is requested that parents provide lunches that are in line with the Australian Dietary Guidelines which can be accessed on the Department of Health website. Cakes, chips, lollies and other ‘sometimes’ foods are requested to be left at home. Morning and afternoon tea is provided.
Weekly menus are displayed in each service. Dietary requirements are taken into consideration to ensure all needs are met.
Meal times provide an important social development activity for all the children. Children learn and practise a variety of skills when participating in a meal by themselves or with some or all of their peers. The educators make meal times a sociable and enjoyable experience.
Breakfast
Parents need to provide their own children’s breakfast supplies. We ask that children who require breakfast arrive before 8.00am as after this time it can be difficult to organise breakfast due to the higher numbers of children.
Food Allergies
Alternative food items are provided for children with allergies to foods contained in a particular meal or snack. We ask that any allergies or food preferences are discussed with the educators in the child’s room and intolerances noted on the enrolment form.
If parents/guardians have any concerns regarding the meals provided, they are encouraged to discuss them with the service leader, program leader or cook.
Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding
Breastfeeding
Our services support mothers who wish to provide breast milk to their children whilst in our care.
A parent can provide expressed breast milk or parents can request a copy of the Breast and Bottle Feeding Policy for more information.
Parents may also like to visit the Australian Breastfeeding Association website to view the Caregivers Guide to the Breastfed Baby.
When the parent returns to breastfeed their child, while their child is in care, a comfortable arm chair will be provided.
Bottle Feeding
Our services support mothers who wish to bottle feed their children whilst in our care.
Parents are encouraged to provide sterilized bottles of cool water and staff will add formula to each bottle prior to the feed.
Bottles are to be clearly labelled with date and child’s name. Formula is to be measured prior to attending care or clearly labelled the amount to be measured.
If parents/guardians wish for their child to hold their own bottle an approved request form will be signed by parent/guardian and educator.