Easy Daycare Menus: Breakfast, Lunch and Snack Meals

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Returning to work after the baby is stressful, but creating daycare menus for breakfast, lunch, and snack ideas can be even more stressful. 

When I first became a mom during the pandemic, it was much easier to pack items because of the restrictions in place.

While things have started to relax, picky eaters can find food for themselves regardless of where they are in age.

With the way that inflation and prices for everyday items have also increased, it’s also becoming harder to create healthy meals for kids because, at times, it seems cheaper to get fast food.

Also, you must check with your daycare center to see what snacks or other items they provide so you aren’t packing extra food.

Anything that you can do to save is a great way to have them give your kids the essential nutrients.

Making nutritious meals for kids is something that takes time to come naturally. It’s a lifestyle change that has to be adopted.

As an adult, eating a balanced meal may not be as important when you are younger since there are ways of getting what you need overall.

It’s imperative for the development of children that you get meal planning right since it’s linked to studies about how children adapt, learn, and grow.

While these snacks are for your child’s everyday life, if you are traveling and need ideas, here is my list of the best airplane snacks for toddlers.

You will see overlaps showing that healthy food for children works in all categories and aspects of their lives. 

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Here is a breakdown of daycare menus for breakfast, lunch, and snack ideas

Great Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Many people don’t realize that breakfast is your first meal because it’s when you break your fast from sleep.

Children must have something in the morning to “break their fast.”

It allows them to be comfortable with learning, but not eating in the morning can lead to eating more calories throughout the day, leading to unnecessary weight gain.

Here are some great breakfast ideas for small children that are easy to make and they will enjoy. 

  • Eggs (boiled or scrambled)
  • French toast
  • Waffles
  • Pancakes 
  • Cereal and milk
  • Oatmeal or 
  • Cream of Wheat/Cream of Rice
  • Whole grain toast
  • Bagel
  • English muffin
  • Fruit smoothies
  • Breakfast taco
  • Trail mix

Morning Snacks

When thinking about foods for the morning, you want to think of them as the fuel for young children.

You want to pick food groups that will allow them the most energy for learning and playing, especially in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten.

Here is a list of some great options for morning snacks to get your kids started with their day: 

  • Banana
  • Muffins
  • Yogurt
  • Popcorn
  • Applesauce
  • Blueberries
  • Pretzels (unsalted)
  • Raisins
  • Fresh Fruit

Easy Daycare Lunch Ideas

Most of the time, when preparing food for your child, it will be for lunch.

In general, your daycare will provide something throughout the day for snacks in the morning and afternoon. I

f you have a picky eater or want to ensure they have a nutritious lunch option; you must prepare it. 

When your child reaches preschool, the lunch menu will have more variety.

Here are some easy lunch ideas that will make lunch time fun. 

  • Quesadillas
  • Pasta salad
  • Chicken nuggets
  • Tuna salad
  • Chicken salad
  • Taco
  • Meatballs
  • Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice
  • Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • Turkey Noodle Soup
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich

The great thing about these options is that you can eat them at room temperature since there is a high chance that your daycare won’t have a microwave to warm things up for your child. 

Afternoon Snack Ideas

Afternoon snack time hits differently for kids and adults. Snacks can provide your kids a boost after a nap or if they burn a lot of energy throughout the day.

If your child doesn’t like the snacks your daycare offers, you will notice they will start asking for something to eat when you pick them up.

Here are some great options for your little one that is healthy and you can enjoy as well. 

  • Celery sticks with dip or peanut butter
  • Carrot sticks
  • Mini crackers
  • Apple slices
  • Deviled Eggs
  • Pears
  • Peaches
  • Pineapple
  • Smoothies

Investing in bento boxes is the way to go if you are looking for a great way to organize your child’s breakfast and lunch.

Below are a few options to ensure your child’s food can stay at the desired temperature based on what you are packing.

There are also bento backpacks for kids that will help keep your child’s food insulated longer. 

The Best Age For Daycare

If you talk to most medical professionals, the ideal age to start daycare for your child will be 12 months.

My husband and I put our son into daycare at 14 months old, and that was because, for me, it got to the point where I couldn’t have my son home and work effectively. 

It was also a great opportunity for my son to meet other children since he was an only child, and it’s a great training tool for providing structure for you and your baby.

There will be situations where parents have to return to work after 6-weeks and put their baby in daycare at that time.

Search for the daycare center that you think will be the best to grow with your child since after the infant grows, and your child will enter toddler rooms where food items will be required for you to bring at that time. 

Benefits of Daycare

While being a stay-at-home parent is everyone’s dream, that is only possible for some families.

Working moms and parents will have to find childcare while they work, and daycare, while expensive, is a great option.

When considering advancing children’s access to learning, today’s daycare centers have the latest technology to make learning fun, easy, and accessible. 

There are so many benefits to having your child start daycare that you might not, as the parent, see that it also benefits you.

Whether you are a working or stay-at-home parent, daycares provide you with the flexibility to give you and your child space to grow at a pace that best suits the needs of your family. 

Benefits for Parents

  1. Allows parents to work.
  2. Provide peace of mind knowing their child is in a safe and stimulating environment. 
  3. Parents can focus on careers, explore hobbies, and prioritize health and wellness.

Benefits for Children

  1. Building skilling for lifelong learning
  2. Fostering your child’s independence 
  3. Developing socially and emotionally
  4. Enhances child’s school readiness
daycare menus breakfast lunch and snack ideas

Daycare Transition Tips

​Understanding that your child has to go to daycare can confuse parents.

There are several factors to consider when thinking about putting your child into daycare.

  1. Can I provide my child with a healthy, interactive, and learning environment while I’m working?
  2. Can I work and have my child home with me?
  3. Can I afford to put my child into daycare at this age?
  4. Is in-home daycare an option for me?
  5. Do I have support for family throughout the day?

If you can’t confidently say that you can do any of the above, then daycare is the best option for your family.

As a mom who first put their child into daycare at 14 months, these tips caused the least tears for mommy and baby.

  • Start your child off slow; 5 days a week might be too much.
  • Try to find daycare centers that will allow you to receive constant updates like photos or emails of your child throughout the day.
  • Try to find a daycare center that allows for AM and PM sessions so you can drop your child off when convenient. 
  • Be consistent
  • Know that there will be a separation anxiety period, and you will see your child cry, and you may cry as well. It’s part of the process.
    • It usually takes 2-3 weeks for your child to adjust to the new schedule.

Final thoughts about the best daycare menus for breakfast, lunch, and snack ideas.

Suppose you are still deciding what you should be feeding your children.

In that case, you can always check out the United States Department of Agriculture.

The USDA has a list by age group of the best programs needed to get healthy choices into your kid’s body.

Organizing your meals with weekly menu templates will allow you to know in advance the serving size you are giving your child and the perfect way to combat inflation.

With a variety of options to give your child, you can find fun ways to ensure that your child’s getting nutritious food that won’t break the bank. 

Childcare centers and Head Start programs will give your child a variety of foods, and they will adhere to dietary restrictions.

If you want more ideas or have seniors or adults in your family who need day care services, you can visit CACFP sites.

The CACFP operators will provide a complete list of additional information you need about food programs and what home daycare provider needs to provide for food options. 

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