Kidz on the Avenue Menu & Nutrition

Our aim at Kidz on the Avenue is to provide the children with a variety of wholesome, healthy nutritional meals that the children will enjoy.

Our menu has been developed with the support of the Munch and Move program in accordance with NSW Health promotion officers and a qualified nutritionist.

  The National Health & Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) recommends that children and adolescents maintain a varied diet which includes the five main food groups. According to NHMRC children need to be encouraged to eat PLENTY of:

  • vegetables, fruit and legumes; and
  • cereals (including breads, rice, pasta and noodles) preferably wholegrain

THE NHMRC also state that a healthy diet includes:

  • lean meat, fish and poultry;
  • milks, yoghurts, cheese; and
  • limited servings of saturated fats, margarines, butter and oils.

The balance of these food groups, in combination with recommended daily serving suggestions, is essential for maintaining children’s health and wellbeing.

The NHMRC also advises that children be encouraged to drink plenty of water throughout the day and to choose water as a preferred drink or refreshment.

Kidz on the Avenue provides all meals including;
  • Breakfast
  • Morning tea
  • Lunch
  • Afternoon tea and
  • Late Afternoon tea

for your child to enjoy.

Sample menus are displayed within the centre for your information.

The centre Menu is implemented on a four week rotation.  Suggestions for changes to the Menu are welcome and are trialled where appropriate.

The individual needs of all children will be accommodated when preparing meals for the children. This includes allergies and restrictions, as well as preferences and cultural and religious restrictions.

Our home cooked meals are prepared on the premises by our trained and certified staff daily.

Parents are asked to supply 1-2 fruits of your child’s preference for each day that their child attends care. We ask that parents place their daily fruit contribution in the fruit basket provided.

Parents are encouraged to discuss any nutrition or food related issues with the Centre Manager during their initial visit.

[Source : NCAC Nutrition in Childcare Factsheet 2010]

MENU GUIDELINES

Kidz on the Avenue ensure that menu’s are developed that:

  • Provide a variety of foods that satisfy current national standards and satisfies children’s appetites and interests
  • Ensure that if a child is provided with a service for 8 hours or more the child is provided with at least 50% of the recommended daily intakes (RDI) of nutrients
  • Provides the appropriate quantities of food that need to be provided for meals and snacks for the various age groups
  • Provides appropriate food types for children’s age, cultural and religious background
  • Where required provides meals that are appropriate for children with food allergies, medical conditions or disabilities relating to eating and nutrition

KOTA also ensures that:

  • The menu provides suitable foods for second helpings and access to healthy snacks if a child is hungry.
  • Full cream milk is provided at morning tea and also offered at afternoon tea

The Nutrition Policy, Food Handling and Menu Development Guidelines are reviewed against recognised health authorities’ guidelines on a regular basis.  Any changes in guidelines are incorporated into the centre’s policies and practices.