Nutrition
At Blossom Early Learning we believe that healthy eating habits and positive relationships with food are developed from a young age. Food is also more than just nutrition, it can create amazing learning opportunities.
Our food is prepared by our own in-house qualified chef, and children are offered food throughout the day, with breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late fruit snack, providing them with the energy they need to grow, learn and play. We offer pureed and mashed meals to our nursery children.
Our menus are carefully put together to incorporate Government recommendations and legislation, seasonal produce, variety and balanced nutrition, cultural influences and allergy considerations. All meals are prepared to the highest standards of health, safety, and hygiene in accordance with food safety regulations and industry best practices.
Water is offered to all children throughout the day, and is self-served by the children in the age appropriate rooms. During mealtimes, we offer children the choice of milk or water with their meal.
Where possible, we try to include children’s and family’s ideas or feedback, encouraging different flavours and greater engagement.
Cooking learning experiences
Children love to cook! Preparing a meal or a snack can be a lot of fun, and a great learning opportunity. Measuring, mixing, volume, adding, subtracting, multiplying, textures, smells, flavours, and purchasing food are just some of the learning topics covered through cooking.
‘Garden to table’ projects allow the children to experience the whole process of growing, preparing and eating food. Educators work with the children to grow fruit, herbs and vegetables, and once the produce is ready to be picked, the children share this with our in-house chef or prepare it as part of a classroom cooking project.
Allergies and dietary preferences
We understand there are many children with food intolerances and minor to severe food allergies under our care. Only food prepared by our chef is provided to protect children with allergies and intolerances.
We kindly ask that no outside food is brought into our centre. Alternative menus are available to accommodate allergies and dietary requirements, and we offer alternatives to cow’s milk.We cater for children with specific dietary requirements, allergies and anaphylaxis, in full consultation with the family and recommendations in writing from your child’s medical practitioner.
We also cater for cultural dietary requirements such as Halal products, vegetarian and vegan. Please discuss your child’s specific requirements with us upon enrolment.