Meals & Snacks

A nutritious breakfast, morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack are provided daily. Tuition is inclusive; there are no extra fees for these meals and snacks.

Our menu is planned to intentionally present a variety of nutrients, colors, flavors, and textures. The foods selected to be served are fresh, whole, multigrain, homemade, local, raw, and organic as often as possible. Local farm-fresh, free range organic eggs are used when they are available. Children are provided both organic milk and filtered water along with all of their meals and snacks. Water is available to the children at all times during our day. 100% juice or chocolate milk are not commonly served, and are limited to one daily serving at absolute maximum. No other beverages are served.

Breakfast consists of one serving of each:

Protein
Fruits
Whole Grains, Cereal, or Bread
Organic Milk, and filtered water

Lunch consists of one serving of each:

Protein
Vegetables
Fruits
Whole Grains, Cereal, or Bread
Organic Milk, and filtered water

Snacks consist of one serving from two of the following food groups:

Protein
Fruits and Vegetables
Whole Grains, Cereal, or Bread

The family of an infant must provide all breastmilk and/or formula, and nutritionally appropriate purees/cereals. Table food is gradually introduced when the child is ready (around 12 months of age) and will then be included from our meal plan.

Our menu can be modified as needed to accommodate children with special dietary needs which have been substantiated by medical evaluation.

Colorful snack plate, mixing colors in dip

Explorations in color mixing with food coloring and soft cheese

Child eating special breakfast, rainbow toast

Autumn & Winter Meal Rotation

Snowman breakfast, special snowman pancakes

Served with a yogurt smoothie, our 'Snowman Breakfast' is a definite group favorite!

Meals and snacks are served at predictable times. We wash our hands before gathering together at the table. In addition to getting proper nutrition, mealtime is also important as a time in which to practice basic etiquette.

Conversation, kindness, and good manners are all encouraged while we enjoy our food and our time together. Children are seated with peers at tables and chairs that are appropriately sized. Infants are held while being bottle fed. Young toddlers are secured in a high chair for their meals.

Each child is served their food on a divided tray which is accompanied by child-friendly flatware. Plates and cups are color-coded to simplify identification; each child has his or her own established color. All dishes are washed and heat sterilized with a sanitize cycle between uses.

Essential life skills are learned during meals. Children are encouraged to pour their own milk and water from small pitchers, and serve themselves some foods. The children have access to cloth napkins to use as needed.

Children are presented with each meal or snack and invited to eat, but never made to against their will. Meals are a pleasant part of our day together. The children are often involved in our menu planning, and enjoy occasional cooking activities. (Making banana bread is our favorite!) Older children also take turns in the role of Kitchen Helper, setting the table for their friends and helping prepare and serve our food.