Kitchens

At Co Kids we value the benefits of a healthy diet and eating habits which is why every Co Kids centre has an on-site cook to prepare the children’s lunches and snacks. Our lunch menu is planned monthly and designed to provide appealing and nutritious meals that will offer children a careful balance of food to see them through a busy day. Meals are adapted as required to ensure the needs of children with food allergies or lifestyle diets are met.

Co Kids Basin Reserve was awarded the Heart Foundation Healthy Heart Award in 2010.  The award has been consecutively renewed. This involves providing ongoing evidence of appropriate menus, food, active movement policies, nutrition and exercise related curriculum activities and relevant professional development for staff. Link is www.heartfoundation.org.nz/programmes-resources/schools-and-eces/healthy-heart-award

Sugar free Policy

No processed Sugars

 Our goal at Co Kids is to eliminate processed sugars as much as possible and to reduce sugars in our food/menu. The centre has an onsite chef who plans and prepares lunch, morning and afternoon teas for the children. The menu board by the kitchen will display the daily menu and any changes. We do not allow snacks and drinks sent  to the centre in your child’s bag. 

We have developed the following guidelines to maintain our Sugar Free Policy.

1.    Added sugar or free sugar will not be included in daily menus or served to children attending the Centre.

2.    Packed, canned products and food ingredients that contain sugar, sugar additives of artificial sweeteners, will not be in daily menus or served to children.

3.    All baking served at the centre will not include added sugar, sugar additives or artificial sweeteners.

4.    Water is the best drink to quench thirst and is available for children at any time. No sugar sweetened or carbonated drinks will be served to children.

5.     From time to time honey may be used as the natural sugar substitute.

6.    Fruit will be served throughout the day to maintain a balanced diet.

7.   We do not permit lollies, sweets, chocolates, soft drinks, chewing gum, or any other food or drink with a high sugar content to be brought in to the centre. 

8.    Staff will promote sugar free eating with the goal that it becomes an accepted norm within the life of our learning community.