Summer brings sunshine, outdoor play and plenty of excitement – but it also changes how children eat, drink and learn. As appetites shrink and activity levels soar, maintaining balance in childcare settings becomes both more challenging and more important.

Warm weather can affect comfort, concentration and energy. Children may be too busy to notice thirst, or turn away from heavier meals they’d happily eat in cooler months. For educators, that means rethinking menus and routines to help little learners stay nourished, hydrated and thriving through the summer heat.

Adapting nutrition for the season

Children’s nutritional needs stay consistent all year, but the foods that best meet those needs can change with the season. In summer, lighter, nutrient-dense childcare meals are more appealing and easier to digest.

Small tweaks can make a big difference:

• Switch up the temperature: Offer more chilled or room-temperature foods, like wraps, pasta or couscous salads, or sandwiches with lean proteins.
• Go for colour and crunch: Fresh vegetables like cucumber, capsicum, tomato and lettuce add hydration and visual appeal.
• Keep wholegrains on the plate: They provide slow-release energy for active play – think wholemeal wraps, pasta or bread rolls.
• Pair protein and healthy fats: Chicken, fish, avocado and yoghurt help children stay full and fuelled.

For example, The Wellbeing Food Co’s Spring/Summer FlexiMENU features fresh, child-friendly meals that feel just right for the season – like chicken and avocado wraps, fish tacos with lettuce and tzatziki, and beef meatball subs. We combine lean proteins, wholegrains and healthy fats to sustain energy, even when appetites are smaller.

Hydration habits that work

According to Australian guidelines, children aged one to five need around 1.4–1.6 litres of water each day –about five to six cups – and often more when it’s hot or they’re active. However, young children often don’t recognise when they’re thirsty, so building hydration into daily routines is key.

Simple strategies for centres:

• Offer water before, during and after outdoor play.
• Keep jugs or bottles within reach for self-serve sipping.
• Try “sip and skip” breaks – and skip to water bottles or water stations.
• Use fun bottles or cups to encourage regular drinking.
• Incorporate role plays with water in cups, like tea parties and cafes.
• Include hydrating foods like fruit and salad vegetables at snack times.

Food safety in the heat

Warm weather speeds up bacterial growth, so extra vigilance around food safety is essential. Check and record fridge and freezer temperatures at least twice daily, avoid overfilling shelves so air can circulate, and refrigerate meals quickly after delivery or preparation. Potentially hazardous foods should always stay at or below 5 °C, or at or above 60 °C.

And remember, to watch the clock. If cold food has been left out of the fridge: <2 hours: use or put it back in the fridge to chill; 2–4 hours: it’s safe to serve now: but don’t re-chill; and >4 hours: throw it away: it’s no longer safe to eat.

Partnering with families

Good habits last longer when home and childcare work hand in hand. Centres can encourage parents to pack insulated bottles, send fruit-rich snacks or talk with children about the importance of water. Sharing practical ideas – like yoghurt popsicles, fruit-infused water or smaller, more frequent meals – helps families keep healthy routines going through the holidays too.

The Wellbeing Food Co approach

With FlexiMENU by The Wellbeing Food Co, there’s no need to rethink your menu each season: the hard work, careful planning and taste testing (by children) has already been done.

Designed by dietitians and chefs, this flexible model makes childcare catering easy with ready-to-go menus, simple meal swaps, a grocery list with seasonal fruits and snacks, and chef-prepared childcare meals that evolve naturally with the seasons.

From lighter, hydrating summer dishes to nourishing winter favourites, FlexiMENU keeps childcare nutrition fresh, varied and stress-free  – so educators can focus on happy, healthy children instead of menu planning.

Seasonal support made simple

Our support goes beyond delicious, balanced meals. From marketing tools and practical guides to family-friendly resources, The Wellbeing Food Co is proud to help centres champion healthy eating with ease, all year round.