Articles, News and Resources

All too often people panic about daycare menus, what they should and shouldn't do, what needs to be included to cover the requirements of the dreaded food pyramid and generally get themselves in an awful tizzy about something that simply requires a little common sense. There is no need for panic when the steps involved are as simple as ensuring that the food is nutritious, prepared hygienically and easy to cook in large quantities.

Healthy, easy to prepare, well rounded meals are the key. Your mom and grandma could probably give you some tips on one pot meals that would be ideal for your daycare menus. Keep it simple and stop thinking that you need to transform yourself into Jamie Oliver. The range of options available is huge and can include thick soups, steamed vegetables, stews, casseroles, pasta, fish and seasonal fruit. Cheese, crackers, rice cakes, raisins, carrot sticks, sandwiches and yogurts make great snacks.

My day care is in Ireland and I don't provide food (check if this is an option in your area) so we reheat the meals that the kids bring in. Another option to consider is ordering pre-prepared, frozen meals and heating on the premises. Delivery to your day care is part of the service for many companies who prepare these frozen meals. This will add to your costs but you could have parents pay for this service.

Food preparation necessitates having critical health and safety and hygiene procedures in place. You are protecting not only the children you feed but also yourself and your day care business. In the unlikely event of a case of food poisoning you need to be able to prove that it was not your fault. This can be achieved by formulating a food safety policy which will detail all the steps and procedures in place at your day care to achieve food safety.

Surf the net for ideas from other day care websites as many post their menus online. Arrange visits to day cares locally and ask about their food options. Your day care licensing representative will doubtless have hints and information brochures to help get you started. The key thing to bear in mind is that daycare menus shouldn't be complicated, just simple, honest to goodness nourishing food.