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Nutritious meals and snacks
Municipal Child Care Services supports the development of healthy eating habits in young children as part of the program by:
- providing nutritious, regularly scheduled meals and snacks
- creating a physical, social and emotional environment that is supportive of healthy eating
- having opportunities for children to build skills around healthy eating and active living through the centres' curriculum
- respecting diversity and individual needs
- partnering with parents to promote an environment that encourages healthy eating at the centre and at home
The meals and snacks served in our centres:
- meet the requirements of the current Ontario Day Nurseries Act
- incorporate the guidelines from Canada's Food Guide. Canada's Food Guide promotes offering a variety of foods from the four food groups and provides guidance on fat, sugar and salt consumption. Whole grains are encouraged Children under 18 months are fed according to their parents written instructions.
- respect the individual needs of children with allergies, intolerances and sensitivities
- are sensitive to the faiths and cultures of children and their families
- are free of ingredients that contain artificially added trans fat
- use seasonal rotational menus and incorporate local Ontario products wherever possible.
Whether the food is prepared on site or is brought in daily by a caterer these standards are ensured at all Municipal Child Care Centres by nutrition professionals on staff.
| Healthy eating in the early years provides the foundation for growth, learning, physical activity and the development of healthy eating habits in later life. Healthy eating can also reduce the risk of developing diet related chronic conditions such as diabetes, tooth decay , cardiovascular disease and others. |
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