Healthy Meals & Family Nutrition

Nourishing growing bodies, brains & hearts

At PreSchool Prep, meals are made fresh in our home kitchen and served together at the table. We offer up to seven meals and snacks a day, plan every menu to food-program nutrition standards, and partner with each family — whether your baby is breastfed, formula-fed or just starting solids.

See a sample menu Family food resources

Children serving themselves broccoli, chicken, rice and fruit at a family-style table

Why it matters

Why Early Nutrition Matters

Balanced, home-cooked nutrition is one of the most powerful gifts we can give young children. What they eat today fuels how they grow, learn and feel.

Brain growth

The first five years are the fastest brain-building years of life. Iron, healthy fats, protein and B-vitamins fuel memory, language and problem-solving.

Stronger immunity

Colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains and dairy supply vitamins A, C, D and zinc that help little bodies fight off everyday germs.

Focus & steady energy

Regular, balanced meals and snacks keep blood sugar steady, so children can play, learn and settle for naps without crashes.

Lifelong healthy habits

Children who taste a wide variety of real, home-cooked foods early are more open to new foods and healthier choices as they grow.

Family-Style Dining

We eat together, at the table

Meals at PreSchool Prep are served family-style. Food is placed on the table in child-size bowls, and children pass dishes, use small serving utensils and choose how much to take — with gentle help from their teacher.

Independence — serving themselves, pouring and cleaning up their own spot.
Social skills — passing, sharing, waiting a turn and table conversation.
Table manners — please and thank you, napkins, and trying a “no thank you” bite.
Portion awareness — learning to listen to hunger and fullness cues.

Our educators sit and eat with the children, modeling positive, pressure-free eating habits and making mealtime a warm, social part of the day.

Balanced Plate guide

Vegetables: Fill half the plate with vegetables and fruit — think broccoli, carrots, peas, sweet potato and leafy greens.
Grains: Choose whole grains most of the time: oatmeal, brown rice, whole-wheat bread, pasta and tortillas.
Protein: Lean meats, fish, eggs, beans, lentils and cheese build muscles and supply iron.
Fruits: Whole fruit over juice — berries, bananas, oranges and melon, cut to safe sizes.
Dairy / Alternatives: Milk, yogurt and cheese — or fortified soy — for calcium and vitamin D.

Seven meals a day

Sample 1-Week Healthy Menu

Breakfast, AM Snack, Lunch, PM Snack, Late Snack, Dinner and Bedtime Snack — each built from the food groups required by food-program meal patterns. While PreSchool Prep is not on a state food program, we independently craft fresh menus to those same standards.

PreSchool Prep

Sample Weekly Menu

Sample menu. Foods are cut to safe sizes, honey is never served under 12 months, and allergies and family preferences are always honored.

Meal	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Breakfast	GrainWhole-grain oatmeal with cinnamon Fruit ChoiceSliced bananas Milk / Beverage OptionMilk (age-appropriate)	GrainWhole-wheat pancakes Fruit ChoiceStrawberries Milk / Beverage OptionMilk (age-appropriate)	GrainLow-sugar whole-grain cereal Fruit ChoiceDiced peaches Milk / Beverage OptionMilk (age-appropriate)	GrainWhole-wheat English muffin Fruit ChoiceMixed berries Milk / Beverage OptionMilk (age-appropriate)	GrainWhole-wheat toast with scrambled egg Fruit ChoiceMelon cubes Milk / Beverage OptionMilk (age-appropriate)	GrainWhole-wheat waffles Fruit ChoiceBlueberries Milk / Beverage OptionMilk (age-appropriate)	GrainWhole-grain French toast sticks Fruit ChoiceRaspberries Milk / Beverage OptionMilk (age-appropriate)
AM Snack	Apple slices Whole-grain crackers	Cheese cubes Grapes (quartered)	Hard-boiled egg Whole-wheat toast	Snap peas (sliced) Cheese stick	Pear slices Whole-grain crackers	Banana Cheese stick	Hard-boiled egg Orange slices
Lunch	Meat / Meat AlternateBaked chicken drumstick GrainBrown rice VegetableSteamed broccoli FruitMandarin orange segments MilkMilk	Meat / Meat AlternateBlack beans & melted cheese GrainWhole-wheat tortilla VegetableCorn & bell pepper salad FruitCantaloupe MilkMilk	Meat / Meat AlternateSliced turkey & cheese GrainWhole-wheat pita VegetableCherry tomatoes (quartered) & cucumber FruitWatermelon MilkMilk	Meat / Meat AlternateBaked whole-grain fish sticks GrainWhole-wheat dinner roll VegetablePeas & carrots FruitKiwi slices MilkMilk	Meat / Meat AlternateMozzarella cheese GrainHomemade whole-wheat pizza crust VegetableTomato sauce & side salad FruitGrapes (quartered) MilkMilk	Meat / Meat AlternateTurkey burger patty GrainWhole-wheat bun VegetableBaked sweet potato wedges FruitStrawberries MilkMilk	Meat / Meat AlternatePinto beans & cheese GrainBrown rice VegetableCorn & diced tomatoes FruitMango MilkMilk
PM Snack	Plain yogurt Fresh blueberries	Steamed carrot sticks Whole-grain pita triangles	Cottage cheese Pineapple tidbits	Plain yogurt & berry smoothie Whole-grain graham crackers	Shelled edamame Mandarin orange	Bell pepper strips Mild bean dip	Cucumber slices Plain yogurt dip
Late Snack	Cucumber rounds Hummus	Banana Whole-grain O's cereal	Mini brown-rice cakes Sunflower seed butter	Mashed avocado Whole-grain toast fingers	Plain yogurt Low-sugar granola	Unsweetened applesauce Whole-grain rice cakes	Whole-grain mini bagel Mashed banana spread
Dinner	Meat / Meat AlternateTurkey meatballs GrainWhole-wheat spaghetti VegetableMarinara with zucchini FruitPear slices MilkMilk	Meat / Meat AlternateBaked salmon GrainQuinoa VegetableGreen beans FruitPineapple chunks MilkMilk	Meat / Meat AlternateMild beef & bean chili GrainWhole-grain cornbread VegetableRoasted sweet potato cubes FruitApple slices MilkMilk	Meat / Meat AlternateChicken & veggie stir-fry GrainBrown rice VegetableCarrots, snap peas & broccoli FruitOrange slices MilkMilk	Meat / Meat AlternateLentil & vegetable soup GrainWhole-grain crackers VegetableCarrots, celery & spinach FruitApple slices MilkMilk	Meat / Meat AlternateBaked chicken tenders GrainWhole-wheat couscous VegetableRoasted cauliflower FruitDiced peaches MilkMilk	Meat / Meat AlternateBeef & vegetable stew GrainWhole-wheat dinner roll VegetableCarrots, potatoes & peas FruitPear slices MilkMilk
Bedtime Snack	Whole-grain toast strips Milk	Unsweetened applesauce Graham crackers	Banana slices Milk	Oat-banana mini muffin Milk	Cheese cubes Whole-wheat crackers	Whole-grain toast Milk	Plain yogurt Sliced strawberries

Enrolled families see each week’s actual menu in the Parent Corner and their Parent Portal.

For our littlest learners

Breastfeeding Support & Infant Nutrition

Our Breastfeeding-Friendly Childcare Pledge

PreSchool Prep proudly and actively supports breastfeeding families. We welcome expressed breast milk — safely stored, clearly labeled with your child’s name and date, and gently warmed to food-program standards — and we welcome mothers who wish to nurse on-site during drop-off, breaks or pick-up, in a calm, comfortable spot.

Immune antibodies

Breast milk carries antibodies that help protect babies from ear infections, colds and tummy bugs.

Digestive enzymes

Natural enzymes and probiotics make breast milk gentle and easy for a baby’s growing gut to digest.

Brain-building nutrients

DHA, choline and other nutrients shift with your baby’s needs to support brain and eye development.

Infant Formula & Alternative Milk Nutrition Guide

Every family’s feeding journey is different, and every baby deserves to thrive. Here is a judgment-free look at the nutrition each option provides.

Under 12 months

Iron-fortified cow’s milk & soy infant formulas

FDA-regulated, WIC-approved formulas — such as Enfamil and Similac, and plant-based soy formulas like Enfamil ProSobee or Similac Soy Isomil — are designed to be a baby’s complete nutrition:

• Complete protein for steady growth
• Iron to prevent anemia and support brain development
• DHA & ARA for brain and eye development
• Lactose-free soy options for gentle relief for sensitive tummies

12 months & older

Age-based milk transitions

12–23 months: Whole milk. Essential healthy fats for rapid brain growth.
Age 2 and older: 2% reduced-fat milk. Still rich in protein, calcium and vitamin D, with less saturated fat.
Fortified soy milk & approved dairy alternatives. With doctor and parent approval, fortified soy milk offers complete plant protein, calcium and vitamin D for dairy-free or allergic children.

WIC-Aligned Solid Food Progression

We follow each baby’s readiness signs and your pediatrician’s guidance, introducing textures step by step.

1
Around 6 months
Iron-fortified single-grain infant cereal
Mixed thin with breast milk or formula, plus smooth Stage 1 single-ingredient purées like peas, squash, apples and pears — one new food at a time.
2
6–8 months
Stage 1 → Stage 2 purées
Thicker purées and simple blends (sweet potato & carrot, banana & oatmeal), plus puréed meats and beans for iron.
3
8–10 months
Stage 3 mashed & soft textures
Mashed and soft-chunk foods, soft-cooked vegetables and fork-mashed fruits to build chewing skills.
4
9–12 months
Soft finger foods
Small, soft pieces babies can pick up — ripe banana, avocado, well-cooked pasta, scrambled egg, shredded chicken and soft cheese.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Please talk with your child’s pediatrician about feeding choices, allergies and when to start new foods.

Murrieta & Riverside County

Nourishing Your Family at Home

Every family goes through seasons when a little extra help makes a big difference. These local programs can help put fresh, nutritious meals on your table — no judgment, just support.

California WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

Monthly healthy food benefits — produce, whole grains, milk, eggs, infant formula and baby food — plus breastfeeding support and nutrition counseling for pregnant and postpartum parents and children under age 5.

Murrieta / Winchester area WIC
37552 Winchester Rd, Murrieta, CA 92563
(951) 600-1314
Lakeshore WIC
2499 E. Lakeshore Dr. #B, Lake Elsinore, CA
(800) 455-4942

myfamily.wic.ca.gov Riverside County WIC

CalFresh (California SNAP Food Benefits)

Monthly EBT food assistance to help families buy fresh groceries, produce and pantry staples, plus Market Match farmers market benefits and the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Apply online at BenefitsCal or call Riverside County DPSS.

Riverside County DPSS
(877) 410-8827

Apply at BenefitsCal.com rivcodpss.org/calfresh-food-assistance

Community Food Pantry of Murrieta (Community Outreach of Murrieta)

Free weekly nutritious groceries, fresh produce and household essentials for local families.

Community Food Pantry of Murrieta
39493 Los Alamos Rd., Suite A, Murrieta, CA 92563
Distribution Wed & Thu, 6:30–10:00 AM
(951) 677-6347

communityoutreachofmurrieta.com

Local Murrieta & Southwest Riverside Food Pantries & Dial 2-1-1

Neighborhood pantries close to home, plus 211 Riverside County — call or text 211 anytime for free, 24/7, confidential referrals to local food banks, utility help and family support.

Lighthouse Food Pantry
38435 Innovation Ct. #101, Murrieta, CA
Saturdays, 8–11 AM
(951) 698-7633
Murrieta United Methodist Church Food Pantry
24652 Adams Ave., Murrieta, CA
Fridays, 8–9 AM
(951) 677-6174
211 Riverside County
24/7 · call or text
2-1-1

211.org

Questions about meals, allergies or your child’s feeding plan? Call us at (480) 579-9969. Hours and locations can change, so please call ahead.

More family resources