Food at daycare

Just wondering what others think about this and what is the 'norm' in other centres. 

Hmmm good question - I don't actually know. I know they definitely have scones, muffins or cake from time to time but I don't know how often. They have very healthy lunches and I know they serve fruit for morning and afternoon tea as well. DS1 is only there three days a week so even if it was every day at the centre I wouldn't be that upset about it as we virtually never have that stuff at home.

I think cake etc is fine in moderation as long as it's part of a healthy balanced diet. I would probably prefer the kids not have it every day though. On the other hand I try not to call any type of junk food a "treat" because I don't want the kids to think that type of food is somehow more desirable or better than the food they usually eat. In our house treats are special activities like stickers etc, or an extra piece of fruit for dessert. Poor kids, lol!

Oh and cake everyday can and may harm some kids!

The daycare my kids used to go to served baking that they made (usually muffins - sweet or savory) some afternoons with fruit, but other days it was crackers, cheese, dried fruit, popcorn, luncheon etc. If the kids are still there at 4.40/4.45ish they would also have a plain bikkie as they had afternoon tea quite early.

I didn't have an issue with it as they had fruit and toast at morning tea and hot cooked meat / vege lunches, so I think overall it was pretty balanced. And they use ALOT of energy at daycare so just fruit would not be enough (they came home starving as it was). Toddlers and preschoolers need alot of energy -- they need fats and lots of carbs in their diet - so I figure as long as they are having enough of all the good stuff the odd bikkie or muffin is OK.

To be honest I think the kids would have more "treat" foods on days when they were at home as we would end up at a cafe having cake and fluffies, or I'd put a fruit bar in their lunchbox when we went out .... or lollipops after dancing ... ice blocks in summer for afternoon tea etc!

Roman's daycare has a healthy heart menu award and programme from the Heart Foundation - so they are fed healthy food and the occasional treat which is nice.  They have hot cooked meals at lunch time and morning & afternoon teas that consist of fruit and variety of things. They have a cook on site, and also for the later pick up kids they have another snack at 5pm.