3-week-menu-plan - Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Pre-School Services

Sep 27, 2026

Early childhood is emphasized as a critical period for forming healthy lifestyle habits, with research linking positive health behaviours to healthy eating in school children. The resource supports pre-school providers in implementing the Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Pre-Schools Services issued in April 2004. Developed through collaboration with pre-school and health stakeholders, it offers a practical 3-week menu cycle, recipe guidance for breakfasts, snacks, and stocks, and key reminders on variety, portion sizes, food safety, and tooth-friendly drinks.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages61

Reading Time2 h 34 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Section One: Weekly Menu Plans

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Section Two: Recipes

A note on breakfast

Recipes for snacks

Recipes for stock

Abbreviations we use in the recipes

Foreword 1 The early years ofa child’s life are critically important for the formation of good lifestyle habits, including a positive attitude towards healthy eating. Research findings show a correlation between a wide range of positive health behaviours and healthy eating among school children. Studies also indicate that social and developmental benefits are linked to the establishment of a nutritionally adequate diet in early childhood. This resource has been developed in response to the needs expressed by Pre-School providers to assist them in implementing the Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Pre-Schools Services published in April 2004. It is the outcome of a collaborative process which was inclusive of stakeholders across both Pre-School and Health Service settings. I have no doubt that the work which has gone into producing this resource will assist Pre-school providers in the development of nutritious meals and snacks. This in turn will have positive outcomes for both the children in their care and for the parents of these children. I would like to acknowledge the work of Fiona Moloney, Dara Morgan and Glenda O’Connor who developed and produced the resource. I would also like to recognise the on-going work of Pre-school providers, Pre-school Services, Health Promotion staff, and key support agencies in ensuring that the healthy eating message is disseminated and implemented across all settings where children are cared for and nurtured. Sheilagh Reaper-Reynolds Acting Functional Health Promotion Manager, HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster Acknowledgements Ms Michelle Corcoran, Pre-school Officer, Dublin Mid-Leinster, (Dublin West/Dublin South West) Ms Gillian Farren, Acting Dietitian Manager, HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster Ms Marie Gleeson, Pre-school Officer, Dublin Mid-Leinster, (previously Dublin South City) Ms Michele Lochrin, Pre-school Officer, Dublin Mid-Leinster,(Dublin South City) Dr Fiona Moloney, Senior Community Dietitian, HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster Ms Dara Morgan, Senior Community Dietitian, HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster National Health Promotion Information Project, [HSE www.healthinfo.ie](HSE www.healthinfo.ie) Ms Aoibheann O’Connor, Senior Community Dietitian, HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster Ms Glenda O’Connor, Clinical Nutritionist, Beaumont Hospital (previously Student Dietitian, HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster) Mr Tom Prendergast, Principal Environmental Health Officer, HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster Ms Sheilagh Reaper Reynolds, Acting Functional Manager, Health Promotion Dublin Mid-Leinster Ms Denise Wyer, Pre-school Officer, Dublin Mid-Leinster (Kildare/West Wicklow) Many thanks to the seven pre-schools who pilot tested the menu cycle. • B’s Babes, 13 Foxborough Gardens, Lucan, Co. Dublin • Bright Sparks Childcare Services, Allenwood Community Development Association, Station Road, Allenwoord, Naas, Co. Kildare • Kiddie Care, 20 Knockmore Gardens, Tallaght, Dublin 24 • Kindercrescent, 481 The Crescent, Straffan Road, Maynooth • Liberty Creche, 92 Meath Street, Dublin 2 • Little Treasures, Earlsfort, Limekiln Lane, Dublin 12 • St Mary’s Creche, City Quay, Dublin 2 A special word of thanks also to all the pre-schools who were in contact with Glenda O’Connor and gave their suggestions, invaluable advice, and helped to guide the development of this resource. 2 Table of contents Introduction 3 Section One: Weekly Menu Plans 7 Week 1 ……………………………………………………………………… 8 Week 2 ……………………………………………………………………… 9 Week 3 …………………………………………………………………… 10 Section Two: Recipes 11 A note on breakfast ……………………………………………………… 12 Week 1 13 Monday …………………………………………………………… 13 Tuesday ……………………………………………………………… 14 Wednesday ………………………………………………………… 19 Thursday …………………………………………………………… 23 Friday ……………………………………………………………… 25 Week 2 27 Monday …………………………………………………………… 27 Tuesday ……………………………………………………………… 30 Wednesday ………………………………………………………… 32 Thursday …………………………………………………………… 36 F

FAQs

What is the purpose of the 3-week menu plan resource?

It provides a practical guide for pre-school providers to implement the 2004 Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Pre-Schools Services using balanced, nutritious meal ideas.

How was the resource developed?

It was developed in response to needs expressed by pre-school providers, through a collaborative process including stakeholders across pre-school and health service settings, and refined after a pilot test in seven pre-schools.

Who can use the recipes and how are portions determined?

All recipes are suitable for children from 1 year onwards, and portion sizes are based on the requirements of children aged 11/2–3 years.

Sep 27, 2026

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