Here at Lincoln University Early Childhood Centre parents provide all of the food their child needs for the day. We provide cups, cutlery, dishes, facecloths (and bibs where necessary). Children will be served a drink at morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea times, with water available whenever requested throughout the day.
Please supply your child with enough food to satisfy them throughout the day. We promote healthy eating for lunch, morning and afternoon tea. Children are encouraged to eat a selection of finger food at morning and afternoon tea. At lunchtime they begin the meal with any hot food or sandwiches they may have. They are then encouraged to eat their yogurt (if they have one) and then if they are still hungry a selection from their lunchbox. In this way children are encouraged to eat "growing food" first and fill their stomachs, giving them longer lasting energy. Getting your child off to a healthy start in life can be quite a challenge. Even though they are likely to be eating most of the same foods as the rest of the family, keep in mind that they have proportionally greater nutrient needs than adults and no single food will provide all the nutrients a young child needs to grow, develop and stay healthy. For this reason please provide a wide variety of food to help your child get through the day.
Please name all food containers and bottles. In the nursery lunch boxes should be placed in the fridge upon arrival and in the preschool on the trolley in the kitchen. Named pottles of yogurt and items which need to remain cool should be placed into the fridge, a permanent marker for this purpose can be found in the top drawer in the kitchen. Please cook any noodles or instant pasta dishes, we will re-heat them. If your child is attending preschool in the afternoon please provide a piece of fruit to be put in the fruit basket for a late afternoon snack. These are all sliced and shared amongst all the children at 4.30pm.
Sometimes parents bring in special food to celebrate their child's birthday, if you do not wish for your child to take part please let us know.
If your child has any food allergies or intolerances, or is unable to eat certain things for cultural reasons it is vital we are fully informed. The children have many opportunities to bake and cook at LUECC and we need to take all these factors into consideration.
Not allowed at the centre:
- Nuts in any form (because of allergies)
- Sweets, lollies, chocolate bars etc.
- Fizzy drinks