Meeting the recommendations set out in Canada’s Food Guide, we provide a four-week rotation of menus offering various diverse food. Menus are posted outside the kitchen, in the infant room and outside the preschool 1 room. All families are also offered a copy of the menu upon request.
There are various eating arrangements provided based on the children’s needs and ages.
Children sitting in small groups at the tables offer excellent opportunities to enhance social skills, develop positive attitudes towards trying different foods, and support independence by serving themselves when appropriate.
Children have access to water throughout the day, including with each snack and lunch.
Any food, infant bottles, breast milk, or formula received will be labeled with the child’s name
Children under a year old have written instructions provided by their families in their files so educators can provide the proper food. Please note that bottles are never propped against something or put in bed with children to fall asleep with.
A Food Handlers Certificate is held by the cook and most of the Educators on the premise to ensure Public Health protocol regarding food storage, refrigeration, and the preparation and serving of food are being met.
Special Occasions
In the event of a special occasion (i.e. birthdays or holiday celebrations), staff may provide an additional nut-free snack. All changes or additions to the menu will be posted for parents to see. In accordance with the Waterloo Regional Health Unit, treats brought from home will not be served to the children. These snack may be sent home for parents to decide if the children can have them. If parents would like to provide a special snack to celebrate a special occasion they may do so provided that it is store bought and displays a label stating all ingredients and shows that it is nut free.
Food Allergies
We are a Nut Free childcare and therefore all labels will be checked when purchasing foods for the center.
Any allergies/dietary supplements, including preferences, severe allergies, or intolerances, will be posted in all areas the children gather, including eating areas and the kitchen. They are also located in the emergency binder. A food agreement will be signed by a parent/guardian and the supervisor acknowledging specific needs. If a child has an allergy, an alternate/ modified snack will be provided by the childcare whenever possible. In cases where a child has food allergies and The Oaks cannot meet the child’s needs, the child’s parent/guardian will be asked to supply snacks/meals for their child. All written instructions for diet provided by a parent will be implemented.
The childcare will ensure:
- that parents label food brought to the child care centre with the child’s full name and the date the food arrived at the child care centre, and that parents advise of all ingredients.
- Where food is provided from home we will ensure that appropriate supervision of children is maintained so that food is not shared or exchanged.