What Does Your Child Eat at Childcare? Launchpad’s Yummy, Healthy Menu
It’s natural to worry about what your child is eating at childcare. You don’t want them to have too much sugar, or too many processed foods, or to go hungry because the food is bland.
But that’s not something you ever have to worry about at Launchpad ELC.
The delicious meals and snacks at Launchpad are all prepared on-site by our talented chefs. Our menu is planned around nutrition guidelines, full of real veggies, whole grains and fresh fruit. It’s all healthy, and your child will be raving about it at pick-up time.
Let’s take a look inside the kitchen at Launchpad ELC.
Quick summary
- – Wherever possible, food is made from scratch on-site, including staples such as bread and jams, using fresh, high-quality ingredients
- – We follow the Victorian Healthy Eating Advisory Service (HEAS) guidelines
- – We cater for every diagnosed allergy, medical requirement and dietary need, so every child can eat safely and confidently
Launchpad’s healthy (and delicious) menu
Your child won’t be pushing their food around the plate at Launchpad! Our whole menu is nutritious, diverse and reflective of the different cultures and backgrounds of the families in our care.
Here’s an example of a typical day of meals at our centres in Greensborough and Lower Plenty.
For breakfast: Vegan banana pancakes with maple syrup + a selection of cereals.
Morning tea: Fruit platter with five fresh, in-season fruits.
Lunch: Vegetable curry with chickpeas and warm flat bread
Afternoon tea: Veggie sticks with house-made tzatziki and pitta crisps.
Different meals every day, with the menu cycling every four weeks. Plus, the menu changes with the seasons. Wholesome, warming meals in winter; bright, refreshing meals in summer. Your child will never get bored with the food at Launchpad!
How we cater for allergies and intolerances
We cater for all diagnosed allergies, medical requirements, dietary needs and family preferences, so every child can take part in mealtimes safely.
Before your child starts, we work with you to understand exactly what they need. This is recorded and shared with the whole team, not just the kitchen.
Educators closely supervise every meal and snack, and staff are trained in anaphylaxis management as part of our broader approach to keeping children safe.
Food made from scratch by our in-house chefs
If you’ve ever been to one of our Launchpad centres at drop-off time, you’ve probably smelt something amazing coming from our oven.
That’s because, wherever possible, the talented chefs at both our Greensborough and Lower Plenty centres make food from scratch on-site with fresh ingredients. Even staples like bread and jam.
It means we know exactly what’s going into every meal, and it tastes like something made with care, not reheated from a packet.
Cooking on-site also lets us respond quickly if a child joins with a new dietary need.
Encouraging positive attitudes towards eating
Getting your child to try a new vegetable at home isn’t always easy. But studies show that children are far more likely to try and enjoy healthy food in social settings where their peers and role models are doing the same.
When a child watches a friend happily eating broccoli, they’re more likely to give it a go themselves, building confidence around food over time.
Our educators support and encourage children to explore new foods in a positive social environment. Mealtimes are a nice way to spend time with friends while sharing something yummy and healthy.
Healthy foods, healthy bodies, healthy minds
Nutrition matters more during early childhood than at almost any other stage of life. A child who has eaten a proper lunch is a child who can focus during storytime, keep pace on the climbing frame, and settle more easily for an afternoon rest.
That’s why we treat mealtimes as part of the day’s learning, not a break from it. Children build independence, social connection and cultural awareness at the table, alongside habits that carry well beyond childcare.
We use the Victorian Healthy Eating Advisory Service (HEAS) guidelines
Our menu uses the Victorian Healthy Eating Advisory Service (HEAS) guidelines, based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines and designed specifically for early childhood services.
At Launchpad, this means:
- Vegetables, fruit, whole grains and dairy (or alternatives) featured across breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, every day
- No sugary drinks, confectionery or deep-fried foods, and no discretionary snacks like lollies or chips on the regular menu
- Fresh water freely available at all times
- Meals adjusted for allergies, intolerances, and cultural or religious dietary needs
- Menus are reviewed regularly against best practice guidelines
FAQS about childcare food and nutrition
Is the food at Launchpad cooked on-site or delivered?
All meals are cooked on-site by our own kitchen team, led by an experienced head chef. Staples like bread and jam can often be made from scratch.
What does my child eat at Launchpad on a typical day?
Breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea each day, with fresh fruit, home-cooked meals and a vegetarian option at every lunch.
Does Launchpad follow official nutrition guidelines?
Yes. Our menu is planned around the Victorian Healthy Eating Advisory Service (HEAS) guidelines, based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
What if my child is a fussy eater?
Educators encourage children to try new foods at their own pace, in a relaxed setting where peer modelling often helps children feel confident giving something new a go.
Come and see what’s cooking!
If you’d like to see our kitchen in action, take a look at our full menu, or ask about allergies and dietary needs, we’d love to have you in for a visit.
Book a tour at your nearest centre to meet the team and see what mealtimes look like at Launchpad.
Launchpad is a proud Child Safe organisation and is committed to the Child Safe Standards.