Meals in early childhood education
Mealtimes are an important part of a child’s early childhood education day. They are not only about satisfying hunger but also support a child’s growth and wellbeing in many ways.
In early childhood education, the aim of mealtimes is to promote a positive attitude towards food and eating and to give children a strong foundation for healthy eating habits.
During mealtimes, children practice independent eating and good table manners. Taste preferences and eating habits develop as children are introduced to different food traditions and cultures in everyday meal situations.
During the early childhood education day, children are offered several balanced meals. If a child spends the whole day in day care, they are offered breakfast, lunch and a snack. In shift care, dinner and an evening snack are also provided.
Meals are based on the Act on Early Childhood Education and Care and planned in accordance with the dietary recommendations issued by The National Nutrition Council of Finland.(external link, opens in a new window)
- Espoo Catering(external link, opens in a new window)
- Palmia(external link, opens in a new window)
- The menu for Vindängen daghem och förskola is available at the day care centre.
Some of the meals on the menus are marked with a heart symbol, indicating that they are particularly healthy, with good quality fats, moderate amounts of salt and sugar, and a high fibre content.
If your child has special dietary needs, please inform your child’s early childhood education unit by filling in the dietary needs notification form.
The following special dietary needs are reported on the form
- severe food allergy
- other diet based on a recommendation by a doctor or a nutritionist
- religious diet
- vegetarian or vegan diet (a separate doctor’s or nutritionist’s certificate is no longer required for a vegan diet)
The dietary needs notification form, along with instructions, can be found on the city’s website.
Please also remember to inform us well in advance if your child will be absent, so that food is not wasted. You can enter absences in the eVaka calendar.
The early childhood education and kitchen staff at your child’s unit will provide guidance and answer any questions. You can give feedback on meals, for example, via the catering service providers’ websites and through the City of Espoo’s feedback service.
- School catering | City of Espoo (providers of catering services for day care centres and schools)
- Feedback service | City of Espoo(external link, opens in a new window)
Do you need support with your child’s eating? Visit the Omaperhe website at Omaperhe – Eating and food(external link, opens in a new window), or contact the child health clinic services of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County: Child Health Clinic | Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County(external link, opens in a new window).