Planning for Positive Meal Times - Free PD

Explore how to create supportive and enjoyable mealtime experiences in a dayhome setting. We will introduce menu planning, focusing on the plate model, food groupings, and beverage choices for children. The session also covers building positive feeding relationships, offering family-style meals, establishing consistent routines, and navigating common mealtime challenges such as transitions, picky eating, and trying new foods.

REGISTER FOR FREE: Planning for Positive Meal Times

An active ADSN Account is required to access our Free PD. Fill out the form below to register. If you do not have an ADSN Account one will be created when you register.

Positive Meal Times Free PD Registration Form

Name

First

Last

Postal Code

I am a:

Dayhome Provider

Agency Counsultant or Director

Parent that uses a dayhome

Dayhome Type

Private

With an Agency

Dayhome Name

Do you have an ADSN account?

Yes

Create a Username

Agency Name

Do you have an ADSN account?

Yes

Create a Username

If you are human, leave this field blank.

Why do you collect my postal code? We collect postal codes from our registrants to help us track where our participants are located so that we can ensure we are providing adequate supports to those areas.

ABOUT THIS SESSION

Running a dayhome means that meals and snacks are part of the rhythm of every day. Mealtime is not only about feeding children—it is also an important opportunity to build routines, support development, and create positive experiences around food.

This session explores how dayhome providers can create supportive and enjoyable mealtime environments that encourage children to develop healthy relationships with food. Participants will be introduced to the foundations of menu planning using Canada’s Food Guide, including the plate model, food group balance, and appropriate beverage choices for young children.

Beyond what we serve, this session also looks at how we serve food. We will explore strategies for building positive feeding relationships with children, supporting independence through family-style meals, and creating predictable routines that help mealtimes run smoothly in a mixed-age dayhome environment.

Participants will also discuss common challenges that arise during meals and snacks, including transitions to the table, picky eating, hesitation to try new foods, and navigating differing appetites. Practical strategies will be shared to help providers respond to these situations in ways that reduce stress and keep mealtimes positive for both children and educators.

This session is designed with the dayhome setting in mind and will provide practical, developmentally appropriate approaches that providers can apply immediately in their programs. By the end of the session, participants will leave with ideas and strategies that help make mealtimes calmer, more supportive, and more enjoyable for everyone at the table.

FAQ

Will there be a certificate?

Yes! A certificate will be available for those who attend the session live. Keep an eye on the chat for the link to the feedback survey. Once it is filled out a certificate will be automatically emailed to you within one week.

Will there be a replay available?

Does this session qualify for time release funding?

Unfortunately, based on the Alberta Child Care Funding Guide, free professional development does not qualify for Release Time Funding.

Meet the presenter

AHS - Nutrition Services

Dieticians

Alberta Health Services Nutrition Services dietitians provide nutrition counselling and expertise to help Albertans enjoy good health, prevent and manage chronic diseases.

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ADSN is here to help!

Alberta’s Dayhome Support Network (ADSN) is dedicated to empowering dayhome providers by offering resources, training, and a supportive community tailored to their unique needs. Whether you’re a private or licensed dayhome provider, we’re here to help you succeed through monthly networking events, practical templates, professional development workshops, and more. Create a free ADSN account to discover how we can support you in delivering the highest quality care for the children and families you serve.