Nutrition
Good nutrition is vital to children’s physical and mental development. I serve fresh, healthy foods including in-season produce, homemade, and organic products whenever possible. Your child will be provided with a morning snack, lunch and an afternoon snack daily. I regularly include the children in meal preparation to encourage the development of good eating habits. When children are involved in the meal preparation process, they feel more comfortable trying a variety of healthy foods, some of which they may be hesitant or resistant to eat otherwise.
A selection of nutritionally balanced, high quality foods are prepared and served at my home each day. Meals are served family style and each child is encouraged to try each food that is offered. In order to limit my time away from the children and to promote healthy eating habits, food is available only at scheduled times. Children who choose to not eat will need to wait until the next meal or snack. Meal times are scheduled so that no child will go more than three hours without being offered food.
Drinks
2% milk is served with each meal (1-2 year olds are served homogenized milk) and water at both snacks. Water is not limited and is available throughout the day. Fruit juice is only served occasionally and only during snacks.
Formula and Starter Foods
Infants under the age of one are served formula or expressed breast milk as their primary nutrition source. Once solid foods are introduced at home and each new food has been eaten for at least one week we will serve those foods as well. Infant formula, breast milk, and baby foods are supplied by parents. Parents are required to inform me of each new food being introduced and if any reactions occur.
Breastfeeding
I am happy to provide mothers with the support they need to continue breastfeeding while their child is in my care. Mothers are welcome to come and nurse their child at any time of the day. I will provide a clean private place with access to an outlet, comfortable chair, and running water for nursing or expressing milk. Space in the freezer and refrigerator will be available for expressed milk; please provide your own containers labeled with name and date.
Allergies
Because many food allergies and sensitivities can result in severe or life-threatening reactions, I require that you indicate any allergies or sensitivities your child may have. All efforts will be made to prevent your child coming into contact with the food in question. I am severely allergic to peanuts so I have a “Peanut Free” home.
Special Treats
Birthday and holiday treats help make these days even more special for my children. Although I greatly appreciate it when parents bring in treats, it is not necessary. If you wish to send a special birthday or holiday treat please speak to me ahead of time so I won't plan a treat and end up with double treats. If you are unable to send a birthday treat, I will provide one so we can all celebrate your child's birthday together.
Morning Snack
Cheese omelet with whole wheat toast
Scrambled eggs and English muffins
Toasted whole wheat bagel slices with cream cheese
Sliced bananas and homemade graham wafers
Homemade banana bread
Cheerios with milk
English muffin with strawberry jam
Hard-boiled egg with toast
Oatmeal muffins
Whole wheat oatmeal pancakes
Cinnamon Toast
Plain yogurt served with mixed fruit and granola
French toast sticks and maple syrup
Banana blueberry muffins
Fresh fruit smoothies with yogurt
Warm oatmeal
Toasted egg smiles
Lunch
Homemade oven baked chicken strips with salad
Ravioli with homemade tomato sauce
Homemade meatloaf and mashed potatoes
Ham and cheese sandwich with homemade butternut squash soup
Sloppy Joes with corn
Homemade spaghetti and mini meatballs with garlic bread
Beef soft shell tacos - with tomatoes, lettuce, salsa and sour cream
Homemade lasagna with Caesar salad
Homemade Sheppard’s pie
Grilled cheese sandwiches & chicken soup with rice
Homemade mini hamburgers and fries
Homemade beef and vegetable chili in a bread bowl
Homemade chicken meatballs with rice and corn
Homemade Mac and Cheese
Homemade beefaroni and peas
Pita or English muffin pizza – with pepperoni, cheese, peppers and mushrooms
Tuna Sandwich with pasta salad
Parmesan Crusted Fish and salad
Homemade Italian baked chicken and pasta
Chicken fajitas with onions and peppers
Afternoon Snack
Homemade carrot muffins with apple slices
Applesauce
Homemade granola bars
Oatmeal cookies with apple slices
Vegetable tray with caesar dip
Arrowroot cookies and warmed pears
Crackers and marble cheese cubes
Apple crisp
Vanilla ice cream with peaches
Homemade pumpkin apple muffins
Good nutrition is vital to children’s physical and mental development. I serve fresh, healthy foods including in-season produce, homemade, and organic products whenever possible. Your child will be provided with a morning snack, lunch and an afternoon snack daily. I regularly include the children in meal preparation to encourage the development of good eating habits. When children are involved in the meal preparation process, they feel more comfortable trying a variety of healthy foods, some of which they may be hesitant or resistant to eat otherwise.
A selection of nutritionally balanced, high quality foods are prepared and served at my home each day. Meals are served family style and each child is encouraged to try each food that is offered. In order to limit my time away from the children and to promote healthy eating habits, food is available only at scheduled times. Children who choose to not eat will need to wait until the next meal or snack. Meal times are scheduled so that no child will go more than three hours without being offered food.
Drinks
2% milk is served with each meal (1-2 year olds are served homogenized milk) and water at both snacks. Water is not limited and is available throughout the day. Fruit juice is only served occasionally and only during snacks.
Formula and Starter Foods
Infants under the age of one are served formula or expressed breast milk as their primary nutrition source. Once solid foods are introduced at home and each new food has been eaten for at least one week we will serve those foods as well. Infant formula, breast milk, and baby foods are supplied by parents. Parents are required to inform me of each new food being introduced and if any reactions occur.
Breastfeeding
I am happy to provide mothers with the support they need to continue breastfeeding while their child is in my care. Mothers are welcome to come and nurse their child at any time of the day. I will provide a clean private place with access to an outlet, comfortable chair, and running water for nursing or expressing milk. Space in the freezer and refrigerator will be available for expressed milk; please provide your own containers labeled with name and date.
Allergies
Because many food allergies and sensitivities can result in severe or life-threatening reactions, I require that you indicate any allergies or sensitivities your child may have. All efforts will be made to prevent your child coming into contact with the food in question. I am severely allergic to peanuts so I have a “Peanut Free” home.
Special Treats
Birthday and holiday treats help make these days even more special for my children. Although I greatly appreciate it when parents bring in treats, it is not necessary. If you wish to send a special birthday or holiday treat please speak to me ahead of time so I won't plan a treat and end up with double treats. If you are unable to send a birthday treat, I will provide one so we can all celebrate your child's birthday together.
Morning Snack
Cheese omelet with whole wheat toast
Scrambled eggs and English muffins
Toasted whole wheat bagel slices with cream cheese
Sliced bananas and homemade graham wafers
Homemade banana bread
Cheerios with milk
English muffin with strawberry jam
Hard-boiled egg with toast
Oatmeal muffins
Whole wheat oatmeal pancakes
Cinnamon Toast
Plain yogurt served with mixed fruit and granola
French toast sticks and maple syrup
Banana blueberry muffins
Fresh fruit smoothies with yogurt
Warm oatmeal
Toasted egg smiles
Lunch
Homemade oven baked chicken strips with salad
Ravioli with homemade tomato sauce
Homemade meatloaf and mashed potatoes
Ham and cheese sandwich with homemade butternut squash soup
Sloppy Joes with corn
Homemade spaghetti and mini meatballs with garlic bread
Beef soft shell tacos - with tomatoes, lettuce, salsa and sour cream
Homemade lasagna with Caesar salad
Homemade Sheppard’s pie
Grilled cheese sandwiches & chicken soup with rice
Homemade mini hamburgers and fries
Homemade beef and vegetable chili in a bread bowl
Homemade chicken meatballs with rice and corn
Homemade Mac and Cheese
Homemade beefaroni and peas
Pita or English muffin pizza – with pepperoni, cheese, peppers and mushrooms
Tuna Sandwich with pasta salad
Parmesan Crusted Fish and salad
Homemade Italian baked chicken and pasta
Chicken fajitas with onions and peppers
Afternoon Snack
Homemade carrot muffins with apple slices
Applesauce
Homemade granola bars
Oatmeal cookies with apple slices
Vegetable tray with caesar dip
Arrowroot cookies and warmed pears
Crackers and marble cheese cubes
Apple crisp
Vanilla ice cream with peaches
Homemade pumpkin apple muffins