Meal Information

          
NUTRITION PLAN:

Little Ones Learning is a Vibrant Futures Food Program participant. I follow their requirements when it comes to meal and snack choices. Little Ones Learning strives to provide 2 well balanced meals and 1 snack per day. I serve breakfast between 8:15 am and 8:45 am, lunch between 11:30 am and 12:15 pm, and afternoon snack between 3:00 pm and 3:30 pm. If the Child is here during those times, they will be served. Children who choose not to eat will not be served again until the next scheduled Meal or Snack. If the child will be arriving after mealtime, please feed them before they arrive. During meal times, children have the opportunity to help set the table and choose their main dishes and sides. Children have a water bottle available at their height throughout the day.  Children are encouraged to clean up their area once meal time is completed. I strive to serve many fresh vegetables and fruits weekly. When fresh vegetables and fruits aren’t available, I serve frozen and canned items. I try to use fruit in their own juices and vegetables without salt added. I attempt to provide a variety of food choices so children have the opportunity to try new things when grocery prices allow it however most of the time, I serve kid friendly foods. I only serve 100 percent juice and I only serve it up to 2x a week. Depending on the child’s age, I serve Vitamin D, 1 percent, 2 percent, or skim milk. When new children enroll at Little Ones Learning I ask families about foods their children like so I have the opportunity to make sure children always have at least one item they like to eat during meals and snacks. I don’t want children to be hungry at school.

During the Spring, Summer, and Fall months, Little Ones Learning grows a garden to help learn about growing our own foods. We have grown corn, cucumbers, pumpkins, green beans, sunflowers, lettuce, potatoes, peppers, carrots, watermelon, and strawberries. The children are always so excited to harvest the foods and eat them during our meals and snacks.

Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I participate in training to increase my knowledge of health and nutrition. In the past I have participated with the MSU Extension Plant It, Grow It, Try It program. I also won an award in 2022 called Michigan Grow More Award. It was an award for Farm to Early Education. I work diligently to stay up to date on current practices and research through the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization to maintain healthy nutrition. 

Breastfeeding is strongly supported. For families that wish for their child to drink breastmilk, families can send in premade cups for their child labeled with their name and date. If a parent wishes to breastfeed here, they can use the bedroom downstairs to nurse their child in a calm and quiet space. 

For children who have food allergies like gluten, dairy, eggs families are required to provide food for their children. These meals must meet licensing and food program requirements. Unfortunately, I cannot accept any children with any type of nut allergies. My yard is full of tree nuts outside and my own family isn’t peanut free. I cannot guarantee there wouldn’t be any cross contamination. Families with children with food allergies are required to fill out a food allergy plan and an allergy action plan from your child's doctor is required. Any medications your child may need for emergencies must also be provided in the original packaging and a medication permission slip must be filled out. 

Families are notified daily through the Brightwheel App about what their child ate and how much during meals and snacks. It’s important for children and families to know about mealtime practices and nutritional options so they can learn about proper nutrition and know that their child(ren) will not be hungry.