Parents criticize poor food quality at Australian childcare centres

Parents across Australia are raising concerns about the quality of food served at for-profit childcare centres. Many say they have been misled about food options, often finding their children are served meals like "two-minute noodles" instead of the promised healthy options from in-house chefs. Insiders, including former staff members, report that some centres spend as little as 33 cents per meal for each child. They say the food is often of low quality, with some meals lacking essential nutrients. One parent, Jenny Shih, expressed disappointment after seeing her child served dry cereal and frozen sausage rolls at the Genius childcare centre. Whistleblowers from Affinity Education, which runs over 250 centres, stated that they often had to show families appealing kitchen menus that weren't actually delivered. They reported spending about 42 cents per meal for children, which is troubling given the nutritional needs of kids. Experts have highlighted that many meals fail to meet national dietary guidelines. Bonnie Searle and Karen Thorpe from the Queensland Brain Institute found that most meals lacked adequate protein and vegetables. One parent noted that centres would claim to serve gourmet dishes, but in reality, children received meals bulked up with rice and pasta. The president of Dietitians Australia, Fiona Willer, emphasized the need for better food standards in childcare to support children's growth and development. She criticized the current system for not meeting the nutritional needs of young children, urging the federal government to improve standards. In contrast, community-run centres like one in Mount Gambier spend around $6.50 per meal, focusing on quality. Staff there believe that private operators often prioritize profit over children's health, compromising food quality and staff training. The situation is drawing comparisons to past issues in aged care, highlighting a broader crisis in Australia’s childcare sector.