Daycare and School Menu Planning by Registered Dietitians

Support healthy growth, development, and well-being with expert menu planning.

Our registered dietitians specialize in creating customized daycare and school menus that align with evidence-based nutrition guidelines, ensuring every child receives the nourishment they need in a supportive environment.

Whether you manage a daycare centre or a school program, we offer practical, science-informed menu planning tailored to your needs. We focus on inclusivity, accommodating diverse dietary requirements while promoting positive relationships with food.

Young children at daycare eating a healthy lunch with vegetables, grains, and fruit

Why Dietitian-Designed Menu Planning Matters for Daycares and Schools

Providing balanced, appealing meals is a key part of running a high-quality daycare or school. Many daycares and schools face challenges in balancing nutritional standards, budget constraints, and children's preferences. Our registered dietitians are here to help.

By partnering with us, you get menus that:

✓ Align with Canada’s Food Guide and provincial child care regulations

✓ Support children’s nutritional needs for growth and development

✓ Reduce picky eating by offering variety and structure

✓ Simplify meal planning for staff and reduce food waste

Whether you need a one-time menu review for licensing or fully customized menus designed from scratch, we provide practical, evidence-based solutions.

Benefits of Dietitian-Created Menus

Balanced nutrition: Ensure compliance with dietary guidelines while promoting energy, focus, and immune health.
Cost-effective planning: Reduce food waste with portion guidance and seasonal ingredient suggestions.
Allergy and special diet accommodations: Safely include options for common allergens and medical needs.
Engaging for children: Introduce fun, varied textures and flavours to encourage exploration of new foods.
Time-saving for staff: Receive ready-to-use cycle menus, recipes, and shopping lists.

These benefits reflect common search interests in practical tools for daycare menu creation, as seen in resources from public health organizations and nutrition programs.

What Our Daycare & School Menu Planning Services Include

Our dietitian-led daycare and school menu services include:

✓ Custom Menu Creation: Development of 4-week rotating seasonal menus tailored to your facility

✓ Compliance Check: Review of existing menus to ensure alignment with provincial nutrition standards (e.g., Ontario Child Care and Early Years Act, BC Healthy Eating Guidelines)

✓ Balanced Menu Review Feedback: Suggestions to improve variety, nutritional balance, and appeal

✓ Allergy and Dietary Considerations: Guidance on allergy accommodations and cultural food inclusivity

✓ Staff Resources: Guidance documents for educators and kitchen staff

✓ Menus tailored to your facility's size, location, and kitchen capabilities.

Beyond menus, our dietitians provide guidance on building supportive nutrition environments. This includes tips for responsive feeding practices and involving children in meal times to cultivate positive food relationships.

Menu Creation & Reviews For

Who This Is For

✓ Licensed daycare centres

✓ Preschools and early learning programs

✓ Private or home-based child care providers

✓ Elementary schools and independent schools

Whether you're preparing for a licensing inspection or simply want to feel confident your menu supports healthy eating habits, our dietitians are ready to help.

Get Support with Your Daycare or School Menu

Ready to improve your child care menu and meet nutrition standards with confidence? Contact Us to learn more about how we can support your facility.

FAQs - Online Cooking Class

Do I need a dietitian to review or create my daycare menu?
Many provinces require menus to meet specific nutrition standards, and some licensing bodies recommend or require a review or creation by a qualified nutrition professional.

What documents should I send for a menu service?
We typically ask for your current menu cycle (if applicable), snack lists, kitchen capabilities, and any food preparation or allergy protocols your team uses.

Can you help if I have limited cooking facilities?
Absolutely. We tailor recommendations and menus based on what’s realistic for your setting, whether you have a full kitchen or limited prep space.

Is this service available across Canada?
Yes, our registered dietitians provide virtual services coast to coast.

Do you also help with school menus?
Absolutely. While most requests come from daycare settings, we also work with elementary and private schools to support menu compliance, creation, and healthy eating.