Childcare, Schools & Education Settings
Menu Reviews and Development Support for Childcare centres, OSHC, primary & secondary schools, boarding schools
At Appetite for Nutrition, we support early learning centres, schools (including boarding schools), and out-of-school hours care (OSHC) programs with practical, compliant, and child-focused nutrition solutions. Our Accredited Practising Dietitians ensure menus are nutritious, age-appropriate, enjoyable, and meet the needs of children across diverse educational settings.
We work closely with directors, educators, canteen managers, OSHC coordinators, and families to create positive mealtime experiences that support healthy growth, development, and lifelong eating habits.
Why Nutrition Matters
🍏 1 in 4 Australian children is overweight or obese — healthy meals in care and school settings play a key role in prevention
🧠Food fuels learning and behaviour — dietitian-led planning supports brain development, focus, and emotional wellbeing
🥗 Childcare and schools provide up to two-thirds of daily nutrition — menus must be balanced, inclusive, and safe
🌍 Inclusive and regulated menus promote safety, equality, and positive outcomes for children with allergies, cultural needs, or chronic conditions
Our Services for Childcare, OSHC & Schools
Menu Creation & Review
We design seasonal menus and review existing ones for compliance with national and state standards. Reviews cover nutrition, portions, variety, and allergy or cultural needs, with clear recommendations that are practical and cost-effective.
Individual Consultations
Our dietitians support children with allergies, fussy eating, chronic conditions, or growth concerns. Each plan is tailored to promote healthy development and safe participation in meal programs.
Recipe Development & Modification
We create child-friendly recipes that are simple for staff to prepare and budget-friendly for centres. Meals are designed to be appealing while meeting nutritional needs and accommodating allergies or cultural requirements.
Staff Training & Education
We provide training for educators, canteen staff, and kitchen teams on child nutrition, food safety, allergy management, age-appropriate meal textures (including infant foods), and compliance. Sessions are practical and build staff confidence.
Additional Services
We also offer supermarket tours, food education sessions with children, and ongoing menu monitoring. Services can be tailored to each facility with ongoing dietitian support.
Consultancy & Implementation Support
We work with managers, chefs, and educators to apply nutrition guidelines in daily practice. Meetings and action plans ensure menus and kitchen processes align with best practice.
Why Nutrition Matters for Your Centre or School
We help childcare and education settings:
- âś… Meet National Quality Standard and ACECQA requirements
- âś… Align with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and state-based menu guidelines
- ✅ Ensure safe food practices through compliance with Regulations 77–80
- âś… Provide inclusive, allergy-safe, and culturally appropriate menus
- âś… Build a reputation for quality, compliance, and family confidence
With the right nutrition systems in place, centres and schools can foster healthier children, support learning, and prepare confidently for assessments and audits.
Contact us today to begin your journey towards a better you
Do you want to reach out for more information or see how we can help you? Reach out to us by clicking on the button below.