Healthy eating for all
Little Dinners Information
We place healthy eating and balanced nutrition at the centre of our daily practice. We recognise that early childhood is a crucial stage for physical growth, cognitive development and the formation of lifelong habits. For this reason, our Healthy Eating Policy is carefully structured to ensure that all food and drinks provided to children are nutritious, age-appropriate and inclusive of individual dietary and religious requirements.
Our approach reflects best practice in early years care, combining professional meal provision, structured meal times and a supportive eating environment where children are encouraged to enjoy a wide variety of wholesome foods.
Structured Meal Times That Support Routine and Wellbeing
Consistency and routine are essential for young children. Our daily meal schedule is designed to align with children’s natural energy levels and to support focus, learning and comfort throughout the day.
We provide meals at the following times:
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Morning Snack: 11.30am
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Lunch: 1.30pm
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Dinner: 3.30pm
Nutritious Snacks for Growing Minds and Bodies
For snacks and short breaks, we provide a carefully selected range of healthy, fresh foods that support sustained energy without unnecessary sugars or additives. Snack options typically include:
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Fresh raw fruit
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Seasonal vegetables
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Natural yoghurt
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Rice cakes
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Wholegrain crackers
Wholesome Hot Meals Provided by Little Dinners
To ensure consistent quality, safety and nutritional balance, our hot meals are supplied by Little Dinners, a well-established Irish family-run company specialising exclusively in meals for childcare settings.
Little Dinners has over two decades of experience providing balanced, nutritious meals for young children across Ireland. All meals are prepared in their own kitchens, allowing full control over ingredient sourcing, food safety and quality assurance.
Key features of the meals we provide include:
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No added salt or sugar
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No artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives
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Flavoured only with herbs and spices
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Prepared in line with national nutritional guidelines for pre-school children
High Food Safety and Quality Standards
Food safety is a non-negotiable priority within our Healthy Eating Policy. All meals supplied through Little Dinners are prepared in Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) approved kitchens, ensuring the highest standards of hygiene, preparation and storage.
Ingredients are carefully selected, with a strong emphasis on quality and traceability. The use of 100% Irish meats, including chicken, beef and pork, supports both nutritional integrity and local food standards.
Meals are delivered in a structured system that ensures freshness, correct portioning and efficient storage, allowing our staff to focus on serving and supporting children during mealtimes.
Inclusive Nutrition for Dietary, Cultural and Religious Needs
We are committed to ensuring that every child feels included and supported at mealtimes. Meals can be adapted so that all children are able to participate in shared mealtimes together, promoting inclusion, normalisation and social development. Clear ingredient lists, allergen information and nutritional details are provided to ensure transparency and peace of mind for families.
Our Healthy Eating Policy fully accommodates:
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Food allergies and intolerances
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Medical dietary requirements
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Cultural and religious dietary practices
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Parental food preferences
Age-Appropriate Menus for Every Stage of Development
Children’s nutritional needs change as they grow. Our meal provision reflects this through age-appropriate menu options, ensuring suitable textures, flavours and nutritional balance at every stage.
Menus include:
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Infant meals, available in puréed or chopped form, which are naturally gluten and dairy free
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Pre-school standard meals, designed with no added salt or sugar
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Low-salt options for children who require light seasoning
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After-school style meals for older children who need slightly more robust flavours
Encouraging Positive Relationships with Food
Beyond nutrition, we believe that how children experience food is just as important as what they eat. Mealtimes at Ballinteer Montessori School are viewed as learning opportunities where children are encouraged to:
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Develop independence with feeding
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Explore new foods at their own pace
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Engage socially with peers
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Build confidence around healthy choices
