Nutrition
Merri Community Childcare Centre & Kindergarten aims to provide all children with a healthy balanced diet that is safe and nutritious. We have a strong emphasis on whole foods as well as fresh food. The Centre’s qualified cook along with all the Centre’s staff & Management adhere to all the relevant Legislation and or authorities. The Centre supports and follows the Australian Dietary Guidelines for children and adolescents and the Healthy Diet Pyramid as suggested by the Australian Nutrition Foundation.
When planning meals (breakfast, morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea), our qualified cook prepares, stores and cooks food in accordance to the Food Safety Act. All considerations of food choices are given, as the menu is sensitive to the childrens ages, needs as a whole, and of all cultural differences that exist within our community.
We adhere to all aspects of the:
- QIAS Principle 6 Health, Nutrition & Wellbeing
- Go For Your Life Program
The meals provided meet the 50% RDI for children in long day care centres that is:
- Milk groups are offered three serves
- Fruit & vegetables one to 1 ½ serves
- Meat and alternatives one serve
- Fats and oils ½ serve.
- Examples of a serve
– Bread & Cereals=1 slice of bread & ½ cup of cooked pasta
– Fruit & Vegetables = 1 small apple & ½ cup of cooked raw vegetables & ¼ dried fruit
– Meat & Alternatives=40g lean meat, fish, chicken or ½ cup cooked legumes
– Milk & Dairy= ½ cup whole milk,100g yoghurt, 15g of cheese
– Fats & Oils=1 tablespoon oil
