Top Educational Toys for Kids Under 5: Inspire Learning Through Play
Toys are more than just fun - they're tools that help young children explore, grow, and develop essential ...
On The Menu
At Kids Academy, mealtime is a chance to nourish growing bodies and minds. Our summer menu offers a variety of healthy proteins, carbohydrates, and fresh fruit and vegetables at every meal. Friends sit together to enjoy their food, sharing conversations about the tastes and textures they are exploring. We don’t hide fruit and veggies - children can see, identify, and understand what they’re eating, building a positive relationship with healthy foods from a young age.
The above is a sample menu. Your centre's seasonal menu is displayed on the wall by the kitchen and updated ever six weeks. Speak to your Centre Manager to find out more.
A Recipe to Try at Home
Looking for an alternative to the traditional treats this festive season? Puff Pastry Christmas Trees are a delicious and easy snack that encourage hands on fun and creativity for your little ones. With 4 different flavour ideas, there’s something for everyone!
Ham and Cheese Christmas Trees
Ingredients
- 3 sheets of puff pastry
- ½ cup grated tasty cheese
- 1 tbsp parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup shredded ham
- Cocktail skewers
- Small star cookie cutter
Pesto Tomato Christmas Trees
Ingredients
- 3 sheets of puff pastry
- ½ cup grated tasty cheese
- 1 tbsp parmesan cheese
- 6 cherry tomatoes
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp basil pesto
- Cocktail skewers
- Small star cookie cutter
Apple Biscoff Christmas Trees
Ingredients
- 3 sheets of puff pastry
- 1 egg
- 3 Tbsp biscoff paste
- 1 green apple grated
- Cocktail skewers
- Small star cookie cutter
- ¼ cup icing sugar
Nutella Christmas Trees
Ingredients
- 3 sheets of puff pastry
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp Nutella
- Cocktail skewers
- Small star cookie cutter
- ¼ cup icing sugar
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
- Spread the toppings onto one sheet of the puff pastry. Cut into inch thick strips. Cut the other sheet into inch thick strips.
- Lay the plain strips on top of the strips with toppings.
- Fold the pastry over on itself in the shape of a small pyramid, and pinch the end to form the pointy tree shape.
- Push the skewer through the centre of the tree.
- With the third sheet of pastry, use the star cookie cutter to cut out star shapes.
- Pierce the top of the skewer through the star to attach it to the top of the “tree”.
- Lay the trees on a tray lined with baking paper.
- Beat the egg with a fork in a small bowl, and brush over the trees with a pastry brush.
- For the savoury trees, sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Dust the sweet trees with icing sugar.
Meet Our Centre Cook
Each day, our creative and innovative Centre Cooks prepare a wide variety of nutritious meals and purees for the children and babies in our centres.
Each meal is healthy and delicious, and aligned with children's daily nutritional needs. They also ensure any individual cultural or dietary requirements are being met too.
Our Centre Cooks are committed to making healthy habits fun. They love to take time to involve the children in meal preparation and healthy food education, plus they hold regular cooking classes!
Note: A small number of our centres do not provide meals, however the Centre Manager will let you know when you meet the team prior to enrolment.
"Early life nutrition is crucial for brain development, supporting critical processes such as cell proliferation, neurotransmitter metabolism, and synaptic plasticity, which influence both immediate cognitive abilities and long-term mental health outcomes."
Cambridge University Press, 2022
The Importance of Nutrition in Early Childhood
Early childhood is a critical period for brain development, with nutrition playing a fundamental role in shaping cognitive abilities and overall health. During the first five years, the brain undergoes rapid growth, making it essential to provide a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients. At Kids Academy Early Learning, healthy food menus are part of our Healthy Children Framework, which is why we are committed to providing children with nutritiously balanced meals, prepared fresh daily.
Key Nutrients for Brain Development
- Proteins and Amino Acids: These are the building blocks for brain cells and neurotransmitters. Adequate protein intake supports the growth and repair of brain tissue.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is crucial for brain structure and function, aiding in neuronal communication and cognitive processes.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Micronutrients like iron, zinc, iodine, and B vitamins are vital for cognitive development and preventing developmental delays. Iron, for example, is essential for myelination and the development of the hippocampus, which is associated with memory and learning.
Impact of Nutrition on Cognitive and Behavioural Development
A balanced diet supports not only physical growth but also cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to impaired cognitive abilities, behavioural issues, and long-term health problems.
According to a review published in Frontiers in Psychology, adequate nutrition influences brain structure and function, affecting cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, and neurotransmitter metabolism (Frontiers). Another study from Cambridge University emphasises that nutritional status in early life impacts cognitive development and long-term mental health outcomes, highlighting the significance of early nutritional interventions (Cambridge).
Long-term Benefits of Proper Nutrition
Ensuring proper nutrition in early childhood can lead to better educational performance, higher IQ, and improved social skills in later life. Moreover, it helps in preventing chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, which can indirectly affect cognitive function and overall brain health.
Healthy Meals at Kids Academy
Nutrition is a cornerstone of healthy brain development in early childhood, and is particularly important in children under five. At Kids Academy, we prioritise providing a diet rich in essential nutrients to support optimal growth and cognitive development. This will lay a strong foundation for your child's future health, learning, and wellbeing.
Centres near you
Enrolments now open!
Find your nearest Kids Academy and start the enrolment process
Latest News From Kids Academy
How Child Care Prepares Kids for the “Germ Jungle” of Primary School
Starting primary school is an exciting milestone for children, but it's also a step into a world filled ...
Screen Time vs. Digital Literacy: What’s the Difference, and Why Does It Matter?
In today's tech-driven world, many parents worry about the impact of screen time on their child's development. While ...