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On The Menu
Every season we release an exciting new six week menu which includes nutritionally balanced meals that meet each food group recommendation. The menu features in season fruits and vegetables, as well as proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats, essential for growing bodies and minds.
You can see the menu your centre is offering displayed on the wall at the centre. Below is what an sample menu looks like.
Our spring seasonal menu is bursting with fresh fruit, including delicious, nutrient-rich berries. Fresh fruit provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support children’s growth, strengthen their immune systems, and boost their energy levels throughout the day.
Berries, in particular, are packed with fibre, helping with digestion, while their vibrant colours and sweet flavours encourage healthy eating habits.
By offering a variety of fresh fruit, we ensure that children enjoy tasty, wholesome snacks that contribute to their overall health and development.
A Recipe to Try at Home
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk (or milk substitute)
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 2 cups self-raising flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 pears, diced
Method:
- Melt the butter on stove or microwave.
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- Bake at 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
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.
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