What parents should ask — and what high-quality centres should confidently answer.
Choosing the right childcare centre involves a lot of decisions — but one area parents often overlook is food and nutrition. With children consuming most of their daily intake while in care, the meals, snacks and mealtime environment matter just as much as the curriculum or facilities.
High-quality centres should be able to explain their nutrition program clearly, confidently and transparently. To help you compare centres and make an informed decision, we’ve put together a list of essential questions every parent should ask.
Why These Questions Matter
Strong nutrition in early childhood supports:
- Healthy growth and development
- Immunity
- Cognitive function & learning
- Stable energy and mood
- Long-term food habits and confidence
The right questions help you understand how committed a centre really is to supporting children’s health and wellbeing.
15 Questions to Ask Your Childcare Centre About Food & Nutrition
Use these questions when touring centres, reviewing options or updating your child’s care plan.
1. Who designs your menu — is it dietitian-approved?
A qualified nutrition professional should oversee the menu, not just create “kid-friendly” meals.
2. Do you rotate your menu seasonally?
Menus should change every season and follow a 4–6 week rotation for variety and nutrient diversity.
3. How do you ensure meals align with the Australian Dietary Guidelines?
Centres should be able to explain how they meet guidelines for vegetables, wholegrains, protein and dairy.
4. How do you manage allergies and intolerances safely?
Look for clear systems around:
- Documentation
- Labelling
- Cross-contamination prevention
- Like-for-like meal substitutes
If they hesitate, that’s a red flag.
5. What does your daily menu look like — can I see it?
High-quality centres want to show parents their menu.
6. How do you handle picky eating?
The best centres:
- Offer exposure without pressure
- Never force children
- Use calm, supportive mealtimes
- Provide sensory-friendly options
7. Are snacks nutritious or just fillers?
Snacks should include:
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Wholegrains
- Dairy or equivalent
Not packaged items or sweets.
8. What drinks do you offer during the day?
The answer should be:
✔ Water freely available
✔ Milk at designated times
❌ No juice
❌ No cordial
❌ No flavoured milk
9. How do you incorporate cultural diversity into your menu?
Children should see their culture represented — and be exposed to others.
If you’re curious, here’s more on how inclusive menus should be built:
Inclusive Childcare Menus & Cultural Diversity
10. How do you manage food for infants on solids?
Ask about textures, progression, allergen introduction and communication with families.
11. How are meals prepared and delivered safely?
Look for:
- Clear kitchen processes
- Safe reheating methods
- Strict hygiene standards
12. What training do educators receive about nutrition?
Nutrition isn’t just kitchen-based — educators should understand portion sizes, dietary needs and mealtime practices.
13. Do you allow family input or feedback on your menu?
High-quality centres welcome collaboration.
14. How do you communicate daily food intake to parents?
Ask how they tell you what your child ate, tried or enjoyed.
15. Can I speak to the team responsible for food and nutrition?
Transparency is always a good sign.
For centres using Wellbeing Food Co, we provide families with easy-to-understand information about meals, menu cycles and dietary processes.
What to Look for in the Answers
A strong childcare nutrition program should make you feel:
- Confident in the centre’s food quality
- Comfortable with allergy and dietary processes
- Excited about the variety and nutrition offered
- Trusting of their communication and transparency
If the centre struggles to explain or demonstrate its processes, it may not have strong systems in place.
How Wellbeing Food Co Supports Childcare Centres & Families
When a centre partners with us, you can expect:
- Dietitian-designed, seasonal menus
- Balanced meals children actually enjoy
- Safe, like-for-like allergy and intolerance substitutions
- Clear documentation for families
- Cultural diversity reflected across the menu
- Strong food safety processes
- A calm, supportive approach to mealtimes
We focus on making childcare nutrition simple, safe and enjoyable for everyone — children, educators and families.
Ready to Feel Confident About Your Child’s Nutrition?
Whether you’re a parent comparing centres or a centre wanting to strengthen your food program, we can help.
Let’s create healthier, happier mealtimes — together.
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