FOODS

Food is one of the most important part pof you child’s life. Food decisions you make now for your child will have an impact for the rest of their lives. It could make difference in how their braina develop or whether become ill. As the world moves towards a healthy lifestyle, we urge all parents to pay closer attention of what your child eats and is given to eat.

SNACKS

Two snacks are provided free of charge by the school daily. Snacks are usually crackers, biscuits, fruit and vegetables with dip. Some parents send their own snacks which we would more than happy to feed your child. However don’t send too many snacks which will make them too full to eat lunch.

LUNCH

Currently the school offers a hot lunch program everyday of the week. We cook it in house and try to make it as healthy as possible. The food Menu will be provided so that you know what your child will be eating each day. You will be impressed.

Food plays an important role in the development of a healthy child. This is why Little Stars Academy is part of the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture – Child and Adult Care Food Program). Food decisions that you make now will have an impact on your child’s eating habits in the future. Our school provides nutritious and healthy hot lunch and two snacks daily. We cook food in the preschool and make every effort to make sure it is healthy as possible. Food menu will be provided to you so that you know what your child is eating each day. Food is provided at no additional charge.

PACKING A HOME LUNCH

If you are packing a lunch at home, pack a well balanced, nutritional meal, excluding candy and other highly sugared foods with excessive quantities of additives, salt and preservatives.

Nutritious foods include whole grain products, fresh fruits and vegetable and proteins. Chips, nuts and other chokable foods are not appropriate for infant/ Toddler diets.

Pay attention to the container you send lunch in. It should be microwaveable and durable enough to last. Don’t forget to send spoons and folks to eat, preferably none plastic utensils that reduce waste.

LUNCH CONTAINERS

Please make sure your child’s name is clearly marked on lunch boxes and interior containers—which your child should be able to open and close.

Lunches are to be packed in a container with the child’s name on it and need to include his or her lunch beverage. Avoid plastic bags! We are trash-free! Reusable containers that your child can open and close is the best.

Lunch is a ceremonial meal at school, with several key lessons based on developing independence. We (every student in every class) compost, recycle, and reuse.

PACK A HEALTHY LUNCH

Don’t just pack anything for lunch. The best way to do this is to make a monthly lunch menu. Sit down on a weekend and think about what you will pack for your child. By preparing and thinking about meals you can also save money. Quite a lot of money.

Use only 100% juice. Better still why not make your own? It’s much better and you can add some good organic sugar instead of High Fructose Corn syrup and all those chemical preservatives.

Pay attention to presentation. If the food looks awful your child will not eat it. Cook some fresh food the night before and pack it for lunch. Mix and match foods to make it interesting.

Soups are great for winter. Pack a piece of whole wheat bread with it. We can warm up the soup. Children just love something hot and warm, especially a lovely home made soup. Make sure the container is microwaveableor send the soup in a warm thermos that will keep it warm untill lunch time at the school.

INTRODUCING NEW FOODS 

We are glad to help plan and implement the introduction of new foods to your child. Each new food should be given at home for four days prior to use at the school. This will enable you to check for allergy or other negative reactions, other than dislike, such as vomiting. Please make sure that the care provider is made aware of the times and the amounts of food to be given. These guidelines were suggested by the school consulting pediatrician.

PEANUT BUTTER

Due to severe allergies and hyper activity, we strongly discourage peanut butter in our school. While it may not affect your child, it can have serious effects on other children possibly causing a life and death situation. Try to use alternatives like Pâté, Edamame and Feta Spread and Hummus. How about making your own lentil spread?

Stuff in Food to avoid

Artificial Color – Red#40

High Fructose Corn Syrup

Sodium Nitrate

MSG

Please click here to read more about the 12 foods/food additives to avoid and why