Child Care Menu Planning - Practical Guide
This resource was created to support child care providers in planning and prepping food for children as well as to meet the food and drink requirements set out in the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
Section 1: IntroductionSection 2: Menu Planning
Section 3: Food and Beverage Choice Tables
Section 4: Allergies and Other Special Considerations
Section 5: Resources and Helpful Links
APPENDIX A: Sample Menu
APPENDIX B: Amounts to Serve Young Children
Click here to download a copy of the Practical Guide (Web version)
Click here to print a copy of the Practical Guide (Print Version)
Additional Resources
Modifying Recipes to Meet the Practical Guide
Practical tips to reduce sodium and sugar and increase whole grain content in recipes.
Increasing the Use of Plant-based Proteins
Practical tips on how to choose, prepare and easy ways to add more plant-based proteins to menus.
Common Food Allergen Substitutions for Child Care Settings
Discover substitutions for common food allergens to accommodate children with allergies.
Sample Menus
Sample four week menu cycle that incorporates different foods to align with the 2019 Canada's Food Guide including a variety of colours, shapes, and textures. These sample menus include:
- Dark green vegetable daily
- Orange vegetables a few times a week
- Whole grains at every meal
- One meal based on plant-based proteins weekly
- One egg or fish-based meal weekly
- Dishes that reflect various cultures and traditions
Reducing Food Costs and Environmental Impacts
A practical tool to support reducing food costs and environmental impacts.
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