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
With summer in full swing, this recipe is the perfect way to beat the heat. Pavlova meets popsicle, in this fruity fusion that’s as cool as it gets. Prep this no-fuss treat a day ahead and get ready for a frosty escape!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup fresh passionfruit pulp
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1L Weiss Mango Sorbet, slightly softened
- 2L Blue Ribbon Vanilla Ice-cream
- 40g meringues, crushed
- Meringues, crushed, extra, to serve
Method
- Combine passionfruit pulp and sugar in a saucepan.
- Simmer for 8-10 minutes until the mixture thickens and the sugar dissolves. Let it cool.
- Grease and line a 20cm pan.
- Add softened sorbet to the pan, smooth it out, and freeze for 1 hour.
- Spoon softened ice cream over the sorbet and smooth it.
- Swirl in the passionfruit syrup, smooth the surface, and top with crushed meringue. Freeze for 45 minutes to firm up.
- Score the top into 16 squares and insert sticks.
- Freeze for 8 hours or overnight. Loosen with a knife and remove from the pan using the paper.
- Cut into 16 squares using a sharp knife. Serve the pavlova pops topped with extra crushed meringue.
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