An 'Added Advantage' of home daycare...





Meals & Snacks

Featuring a Home-based Early Learning Program, London Ontario
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March 8 - March 12, 2010

 Monday

 Tuesday

Wednesday 

Thursday

Friday 

Cinnamon

Toast

Raspberries 

 Cold

Cereal

Blueberries

Vanilla

Yogurt

Mango

Pineapple

Coconut

Muffins 

Breakfast

Bars

Banana 

 Chicken

Fries

Corn

Honeydew

Meaty

Chili

Garlic Toast

Strawberries

Grilled

Ham & Cheese

Veggie Sticks

Kiwi

Roast beef

Mashed Taters

Carrots

Pears

Penne

Turkey Sausage

Salad

Apples 

 Green

Milkshakes

Cookies

 Bits

&

Bites

Applesauce

Teddy

Grahams

Ants

on a

Log

Crackers

Cheese

Grapes 

Menu Notes:

  • None



March 1 - 5, 2010

 Monday

 Tuesday

Wednesday 

Thursday 

Friday 

 Cold

Cereal

Raspberries

Lemon

Cranberry

Muffins 

Vanilla

Yogurt

Mango 

 Bagel

Cheese

Kiwi

Hot

Peaches-n-Cream

Oatmeal 

Broccoli-n-Cheese

Quiche

Sausage

Canteloupe

Macaroni

Ham

Casserole

Grapes

Veggie

Soup

Tuna Melts

Apples

 Beefy

Taco

Salad

Honeydew

Meatz

Pizza

Veggie-n-Dip

Pears 

 Stuffed

Strawberry

Arrowroot

5 cup

Coconut

Salad 

Peanut butter

Banana

Bread 

Oatmeal

Raisin

Cookies 

Fruit

Salad

Teddy Grahams 

Menu Notes

  • None - kids picked standard fare this week!



February 22 - February 26, 2010

 Monday

 Tuesday

 Wednesday

 Thursday

 Friday

 Cold

Cereal

Raspberries

Dippy Eggs

Toast

Blueberries

Vanilla

Yogurt

Mango

 Warm

Waffles

Strawberries

Peanut Butter

Banana

Dogs 

 Chicken

Alfredo

Broccoli

Kiwi

Sloppy Joes

Fries

Dill pickles

Apples

Turkey

Dumpling Stew

Garlic Bread

Peaches

Pork Chop

Baked Beans

Carrots

Pears

Hungryman

Platter

Dinner Rolls

Fruit salad

 Delicious

Stuffed

Dates

 Dinosaur

Dropping

Cookies

Dicing

Devine Salsa

Nacho Dippers

Drizzled

Rice Crispie

Squares 

Double

Decker

Delights 

Menu Notes

  • Foods we are trying with the Letter D
    • Dates will be stuffed with cream cheese
    • Dinasaur Dropping Cookies = Oatmeal 'Raisin' cookies
    • Drizzled melted chocolate on Rice Crispie square
    • Deviled eggs, decadent kabosa, cheese and crackers with our hungryman platter
    • Double decker delights will be Letter D sugar cookies with pureed strawberry puree in between 



Feb 15 - Feb 19, 2010

Monday

Tuesday 

Wednesday 

Thursday 

Friday 

 Closed

 Cold

Cereal

Kiwi

Vanilla

Yogurt

Blueberries 

Pineapple

Coconut

Muffins 

 Cinnamon

Toast

Oranges

 for

 Mac & Cheese

All Beff Wieners

Cherry Tomotoes

Honeydew

 Fish Sticks

Fries

Corn

Pears

Broccoli

Soup

Tuna Melts

Peaches 

Hearty

Sheperds Pie 

Bread-n-Butter

Apple slices

 Family Day

 Fieldberry

Applesauce

Cheese Cubes

Kabasa

 Crackers

Grapes 

 Rice Crispe

Squares

Banana

Vanilla

Pudding

Mango

Menu Notes:

  • None



February 8 - February 12, 2010

 Monday

 Tuesday

 Wednesday

Thursday 

Friday 

 Heart Shape

Applesauce

Muffins

Cinnamon

Toast

Banana 

 Vanilla

Yogurt

Mango

Scambled

Egg Pitas

Pears

Oatmeal

with

Blueberries 

 Perogies

Ham

Corn

Kiwi

Heart Shape

Quiches

Sausages

Canteloupe 

 Heart Meatballs

on

Rice

Pineapple

Love Letter

Pizza's

Salad

Oranges 

Heart Shape

Ravioli

Garlic toast

Honeydew 

 Love

Potion Shakes

Cookies

 Valentine

Fruit Kabobs

Dip

Cheery

Cherry

Tarts 

Heart Shape

Cookies

Strawberries 

 Heart

Cupcakes

Raspberries

Menu Notes:

  • Happy Valentines Week ... the children helped me look through a couple recipe sites for Valentines Day meal ideas ... they really put their heart into it 



February 1 - February 5, 2010

Monday

Tuesday 

 Wednesday

 Thursday

Friday 

 Cinnamon

Toast

Kiwi

Breakfast

Bars

Raspberries 

Vanilla

Yogurt

Blueberries 

Cereal

with

Banana 

Waffles

with

Mango slices 

 Ham

Corn

Chowder

Plums

Meaty

Manicotti

Garlic Sticks

Pears

Chunky Veggie

Chili

Nachos

Apples

Chicken

on a bun

Fries

Canteloupe 

Broccoli

Cheese Quiche

Kabasa

Fruit Salad

 Strawberry

Smoothies

Arrowroots

Bites

Bolts

Grapes 

Macadamia

Cookies

Peaches

Peanut Butter

Banana

Muffins 

5 Cup

Coconut

Salad 



January 25 - January 29, 2010

 Monday

 Tuesday

Wednesday 

 Thursday

Friday 

 Carrot

Pinapple

Muffins

Mini Cheese

Quiches

Peaches

Vanilla

Yogurt

Mango 

 Honeycomb

Cereal

Blueberries

Fruit

Salad

Cheese cubs 

Tuna

Noodle

Casserole

Raspberries 

 Meatloaf

Rice

Corn

Oranges

Veggie

Soup

Garlic Bread

 Canteloupe

 Ham

Scallop Taters

Carrots

Plums

Pizza

Greek

Salad 

Honeydew

Peanut Butter

Wraps

Banana 

Apple

Faces

Arrowroot 

Yummy

Banana Bread

Kiwi 

Robot

Bits and Bolts

Grapes

Rice Crispie

Squares

Pears 

Menu Notes:

  • Nothing new this week 



January 18 - January 22, 2009

 

 Monday

 Tuesday

Wednesday 

Thursday 

 Friday

 Cinnamon

Toast

Applesauce

Mini

Wheats

Kiwi 

 Vanilla

Yogurt

Blueberries

Bagel

Cream cheese

Pear 

Warm

Oatmeal

Mango 

 Chicken

Alfredo

Broccoli

Strawberries

 Tuna & Cheese

Quesadillas

Chef Salad

Canteloupe

Turkey

Rice

Casserole

Pineapple

Roast Beef

Potatoes

Mixed Veggie

Apple slice 

Kabasa

Pinwheel

Sandwhiches

Grapes

Nachos

with

Avacado Dip

Carrot

Raisin

Muffins 

Fruit 

Smoothie

Arrowroot 

 Deviled

Eggs

Raspberries

Banana

with

Bear Paws 

Menu Notes

  • Tuna and Cheese quesadillas are a tortilla wraps spread with a mix of tuna, shredded cheese and salsa fold in half and baked in oven until warm and goey - a new variation on them shared by a fellow provider that the kids are willing to try - thanks April for the new idea 
  • Pinwheel Sandwhiches are Torilla wraps with a thin layer of cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumbers and alfalfa sprouts, rolled tightly and then slice into pinwheel sandwiches - another yummy new recipe idea from a fellow provider - thanks Susan. Although the kids wanted to add the cucumber as well. 



January 11 - January 15, 2009

 Monday

 Tuesday

 Wednesday

 Thursday

 Friday

 Mini

Wheats

Raspberries

Waffles

with

Blueberries 

Vanilla

Yogurt

Mango 

Egg

Veggie

Pitas

Pienapple

Coconut

Muffins 

 Sloppy Joes

Tomato / Lettuce

Fries

Apple

 Tuna Melts

Veggie

Soup

Oranges

 Pork Chops

Baked Beans

Bread & Butter

Kiwi

Penne

Turkey Sausage

Salad

Peaches

Beef

Stew

Garlic Bread

Pears 

 Crispie

Squares

Strawberries

 Oatmeal

Cookies

Honeydew

English Muffins

Funny

Faces

 Homemade

Bits & Bites

Grapes

Vanilla

Pudding

 Canteloupe

Menu Notes

  •  Funny face English muffins ... english muffins with peanut butter and banana slice eyes, cherry nose and raisin smile with coconut hair 



January 4 - January 8, 2010

Happy New Year Everyone!

 Monday

Tuesday 

 Wednesday

 Thursday

Friday 

 Warm

Muffins

Raspberries

Bagel

Cream Cheese

Peaches

Vanilla

Yogurt

Blueberries 

Cold

Cereal

Pineapple

Warm Oatmeal

with

Mango 

 Perogies

Roast beef

Carrots

Strawberries

Ravioli

Meat Sauce

Salad

Pears

Cheeseburger

Macaroni

Casserole

Kiwi 

Chicken

on a Bun

Greek Salad

Grapes

 Fish Sticks

Fries

Corn

Apple slices

 Nachos

with

Avacado Dip

Curtis

B-day

Surprise 

 P & B

Banana

Dogs

Fruit

Kabobs

Cheese 

Kayla

B-day

Surprise 

Menu Notes:

  • The children's Birthday surprise will be a choice of home made cupcakes with icing, decorating cookies or making sundaes ... both served with a fruit as well 



My Nutritional Philosophy

Healthy eating is an important part of every child’s day. In the interest of developing a healthy attitude towards food and nutrition, I strongly believe in allowing children opportunities to help prepare meals, as age appropriate and interest dictates. Tasks can range from washing fruits or veggies, measuring and adding ingredients for baked goods, stirring dishes and eventually even helping with chopping.  The ability to explore, touch, smell and hear new foods increases children’s desires to taste new foods and develop a wide palette for increased nutritional value. It also increases self-help skills, pride in preparing a good meal and confidence to try new things. As five children underfoot in the kitchen can be a challenge to 'maintain the interest of all' the children take turn being the 'kitchen helper' on a daily basis while the others can engage in quiet activities or a few minutes of Treehouse in the adjacent room.

 

Our weekly menus are posted Friday for the upcoming week, have a focus on wholesome and nutritious snacks & meals and can accommodate any food allergies or restrictions your child may encounter and involve input for the children. Originally we followed a 'rotational' menu plan chosen solely by me - as it was easy for budgeting and shopping. However I have found that children tend to be willing to try more new foods when it is 'their idea' and in the interest of having the yummy foods I make end up in their tummy I have tweaked my approach. At the end of each week the children and I will work on planning next weeks menu together! Using 'picture cards' to help them work with me to choose a balanced meal plan that inspires them to want to try the items they have chosen and put together. A great way to learn about nutrition as well as early literacy skills in writing our choices down. I will then post the upcoming menu on the website for parents to be able to plan their menus at home as well ... to avoid the same lunch and dinner incidents not that most kids mind having the same thing twice.

 

Close communication with parents is important to ensure that all the children’s nutritional needs are met on a daily basis. Upon enrollment your child’s current likes and dislikes in relation to foods will be integral in developing the groups weekly menus to ensure that there are favorite foods from all families represented. I always welcome new favorite family recipes.

 

Children are encouraged to try foods offered but never forced to eat. Children who choose not to eat are encouraged to stay at the table and keep us company - as often sitting and watching peers enjoying new and tasty foods helps children find the courage to expand their own palettes! Unfortunately I am not able to accommodate choosy eaters by cooking a 'separate' meal for them. Meals and snacks offer a wide variety of options of food groups and are served at regular and routine intervals in the house. It is my belief that a hungry child will eat something of what is being served  - eventually - they will not starve themselves.

 

I also believe in keeping a written record of children’s daily food intake as it helps create a picture of continued efforts to try new foods, ensures proper balance and monitors any negative reactions to new foods...this information is recorded in my daily log so that I can look it up for parents at need.

 

Birthdays and other Special Occasions

Your child’s birthday is a very joyous occasion and deserves celebration! Children are always excited to share the celebration with their daycare friends – upcoming birthdays will be recorded on each family’s monthly ‘Events calendar’. Prior to the special day the birthday child will be able to select the nature of their birthday celebration from their special treat (cupcakes, cake, ice-cream sundae, etc.) to any special activities they would like the day to entail (within given financial parameters of course J). We will make and prepare the treat for celebration day. Parents are encouraged to come in and join in the fun if able.



Other Menu Tidbits

  • Homo or Goat's Milk in a cup is served with one 'meal or snack' per day ... usually lunch but sometimes with a snack that 'needs it' instead. If another alterntive milk source is still required parents are welcome to provide what is needed for the day in a bottle or sipper cup container...unfortunately my fridge does not have space to store multiple days worth of alternative milk.
  • One 4 oz serving of 50% water - juice ratio is served at one snack per day ... generally the morning snack. Juice served is either 100 % from concentrate apple, orange, cranberry or mango juice 
  • Water in a cup is served on demand throughout the day as well as at all meals and snacks
  • When ever possible meal menu items are made from scratch to accomodate my own and others food allergies. So for all muffins and baked goods are homemade to be gluten free. Chicken nuggets or fish sticks are breaded by hand by being dipped in egg with a spiced gluten free option such as crushed rice crispies or cornflakes and then pan-grilled. Meatballs are made from either ground chicken or beef, seasoning and are gluten free and so forth.
  • Fresh fruit/veggies are bought as the ideal option - when fresh fruit/veggies are not available due to 'seasonal issues' flash frozen fruit without additives will be served. Where niether of those options are available for a fruit canned fruit in its own juice will be used.
  • Bread/Cracker options are available in both whole wheat/grain or gluten free options as needed to accomdate food allergies.
  • All pastas served are gluten free brown rice pasta - except Ravioli as I have not been able to find a Canadian source
  • The program can accomodate and work around most food allergies however my home is not and cannot be a NUT free home ... as many of my gluten free flours contain nut based grains. If a child has an anaphlaxis nut allergy or develops a serve nut allergy alternative care arrangements might need to be made to ensure safety at meal times. 









©2007, Margaret W