KITCHEN CORNER
The Tree House Early Childhood Centres adopt a ‘Healthy Food Policy’. The centre employs a cook who holds qualifications in nutrition, menu planning and safe food handling and ensures that all food provided by the centre will be wholesome and nourishing.
All our meals and snacks are freshly prepared daily in our own fully equipped kitchens. Children will be provided with morning tea, a hot lunch, afternoon tea and nutritionally appropriate snacks. The menu is designed to provide a variety of different foods throughout the week, meets with NSW Dietary Guidelines and is displayed outside the kitchen and in each room.
The centre actively encourages and promotes healthy eating habits for all children. Parents will be periodically given information and advice about good nutrition. The centre also caters for children with special diets and allergy requirements.
All menus remain the same across both Centres
Portion Control
We ensure that children at our centre receive 50% of their Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) while in care.
50% of Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) 2 – 5 year olds
| Food Group | 50% RDI | Portion Size/Serve |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy | 1 | – 125ml / ½ cup milk – 100g / ½ cup yoghurt – 1 slice or 20g block or shredded cheese – 100g / ½ cup custard |
| Breads, Cereal, Rice & Pasta | 2 | – 1 slice bread – ½ medium roll – ½ cup cooked rice, pasta or noodles – 10 small bite size rice cakes – 1 thick rice cake – 2 thin rice/corn cakes – 1 small pikelet – 2 small crispbread |
| Vegetables | 2 | – 35g / ¼ cup cooked vegetables – ½ cup salad leaves – ¼ cup legumes (dried beans, peas or lentils) – ½ medium potato |
| Fruit | 1 | – 1 small piece of fruit (apricot, kiwi, plum, apple, pear, orange) – ½ cup diced pieces or tinned fruit – 2 dried apricot halves – ¾ tablespoon dried fruit |
| Meat and Alternatives | 1 | – 30-50g cooked meat (matchbox size) – ¼ cup lean mince – 1 slice roast meat |
| Vegetarian Meals | N/A | – ¼ cup cooked dried beans, lentils, chickpeas, split peas or tinned beans – 1 small egg – 1 slice / 20g cheese |
If using other recipes a child serve is approximately ½ an adult serve.
Children over the age of 4 years may require extra serves to allow for additional energy needs.
Have questions? Get in Touch with us!
