Children’s Nutrition at
Mount Peter

At Mount Peter Early Learning Centre, we know how busy most parents and carers are, and we know how important good food is to fuel growing kids. That's why we provide all meals as part of our service, taking the stress out of packing lunchboxes and ensuring your little ones are well-nourished throughout the day. Our dedicated kitchen team prepares fresh, nutritious meals daily, so you can have peace of mind knowing your child is getting the energy they need for learning and play, without you having to spend precious time in the kitchen each morning.

Our Approach to Children’s Nutrition

We believe in helping kids develop healthy eating habits from day one. Our approach focuses on balance, variety, and making food fun. We offer a mix of familiar favourites and new tastes, all designed to keep little tummies full and growing bodies strong.

Cultural awareness is also important to us. We know food is a big part of family life and cultural identity, so we offer Halal-certified meats and plenty of veggie options for different backgrounds. We love introducing kids to foods from various cultures – it’s like a tasty trip around the world!

Being allergy-friendly is a top priority. We’re a nut-aware centre, mindful of various dietary needs to keep all kids safe and included. If your child has any special dietary requirements, just let us know, and we’ll work with you to ensure they’re well-catered for.

Why Nutrition Matters for your Child

Proper nutrition in early childhood is essential for:

Brain development

Supporting cognitive function, memory, and problem-solving skills

Physical growth

Providing energy for play and learning while meeting developmental milestones

Immune system support

Helping children fight off illnesses, especially important in childcare settings

Emotional and behavioural development

Creating a foundation for positive behaviours and emotional resilience

Daily Meals: Fuelling Fun and Learning

We’ve got your child’s nutrition covered all day long. Here’s what a typical day of eating looks like at Mt Peter:

Breakfast: A nutritious start to fuel the morning’s activities

Morning tea: A yummy snack to keep energy levels up

Lunch: A chance to refuel and try new foods

Afternoon tea: A tasty treat to power through the afternoon

Late snack: To tide everyone over until dinner tine

Each meal is planned carefully to give kids the energy they need throughout the day. We think about balancing proteins, carbs, and healthy fats, as well as making sure there’s plenty of colour on the plate.

Following the Experts:
Nutrition Guidelines We Trust

When it comes to feeding kids, we don’t just wing it. We stick to trusted guidelines to make sure we’re doing the best for your little ones.

The Australian Dietary Guidelines are our go-to resource, set by the National Health and Medical Research Council. We also follow the ‘Get Up & Grow‘ guidelines from the Australian Government, specifically designed for early childhood nutrition.

What's on the Menu

Every day, we make sure each child gets a good mix of a balanced diet:
  • 2 serves of grains (e.g., wholemeal bread, pasta, rice)
  • 2 serves of dairy products
  • Age-appropriate servings of meat or meat alternatives
  • 2-2¼ serves of vegetables (age-dependent)
  • At least ¾ serving of fruit
We use seasonal produce to keep meals fresh and tasty, and we’re always mindful of balancing nutrients for growing bodies. While we believe in balance, we go easy on the sugary treats, focusing on natural sweetness from fruits and keeping added sugars to a minimum.

Special Diets? No Worries!

We know every child is different, and that includes their dietary needs. For our littlest eaters, we’ve got soft, mashed, or pureed options. We gradually introduce more textures as they grow and their eating skills develop.

If your child has allergies or intolerances, don’t stress! We’ll do our best to cater to their specific needs. Just chat with us about what works for your child, and we’ll ensure they’re included in all the yummy food experiences.

We also respect all religious dietary restrictions. You won’t find any pork on our menu, and we’re always happy to discuss any other religious food requirements you might have.

We Love Getting Parents Involved

At Mt Peter, good nutrition is a team effort. We love getting parents involved in our food programme. Here’s how you can participate:
  • Chat with us about your child's food preferences
  • Ask for our recipes to recreate meals at home
  • Share your family favourites with us
  • Discuss any concerns or special requirements

Quality is Key

Here’s our recipe for mealtime success:
  • We change our menu with the seasons to keep things fresh and interesting.
  • We use fresh, seasonal ingredients.
  • We love introducing kids to new tastes and foods from different cultures.

We’re passionate about giving kids great food at Mount Peter Early Learning Centre. By serving up tasty, healthy meals in a friendly setting, we’re helping kids develop good eating habits that’ll stick with them for life. Want to know more about how we feed your little ones? Get in touch, and we’ll chat about how to meet your child’s needs and help them grow up healthy and strong.

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