Snacks & Birthday Treats
Snacks
What do families provide for snacks and birthday treats?
Our preschool does not specify the snacks that parents should provide when it’s their turn to bring snacks for the week. Rather, parents are left with the flexibility of using their own judgment in selecting appropriate snack items for preschool. We do ask that you provide fresh produce for at least one day of the week (suggestions and quantities below). Please keep in mind that snacks containing minimal sugar and artificial ingredients are always welcome.
It is our goal to have fresh fruit and/or veggies at least one day a week at snack time. The kids really enjoy all the variety! While we do have a kitchen and knives to use if we need them, having the fruits and veggies washed and cut up beforehand would be wonderful. If that's not possible, we are happy to help. Here are some ideas and quantities that will serve both classes for one day:
Some suggestions for the weekly snacks:
Pretzels
Popcorn
Crackers
Veggie straws
Hummus
Cereal
Graham Crackers
Fruit (fresh, cut into bite-sized pieces please)
a bag of apples
melon (1)
pears, peaches, etc. (6-8)
bananas (about 12)
clementines (12 or 24)
blueberries or strawberries (2 pints)
Raw vegetables (fresh, cut into bite-sized pieces please)
a small bag of mini carrots or regular carrots cleaned and cut up
a head of broccoli or cauliflower
pepper strips (2 peppers)
cucumber slices (3 cucumbers)
cherry tomatoes (1 pint)
Snacks are served with a small cup of water.
Please note that all snacks must be store-bought, as state law does not allow home-made snacks to be consumed at preschool unless they were made at school. You may opt to bring ingredients to preschool and assemble/bake a treat in the preschool kitchen.
Dietary restrictions among our students for the 2023-2024 school year include:
Vegetarian diet
No artificial food dye
No pine nuts (all other tree nuts and peanuts are OK)
Please keep these restrictions in mind when choosing snacks; however, be assured that we have snacks on hand for children with restrictions, so that snack providers are not obliged to meet all these needs.
Birthday Treats
Also, children are welcome to bring in special treats for their fellow preschoolers on the day of their preschool birthday celebration. If you choose to send a special snack, we ask that you send enough for just your child’s classroom, to help us limit the number of treats served.
Examples of birthday treats include:
Fresh fruit
Fruit roll-ups
Applesauce
Boxes of raisins
Animal crackers
Small cookie, muffin or cupcake
A non-food item, such as a sticker or pencil for each child, is also an option.