Early Childhood Services

What is it? 

We design seasonal menu’s specific to your centre’s needs, tailored to your unique budget and dietary requirements.

Who is it for? 

Any centre ready to become a leader in child care nutrition – without the stress of constantly searching for new, healthy recipes… that the children will actually eat! (We’ve already figured it out for you!)

What’s included: 

1. A meeting (either face to face or Skype) with your centre manager and food coordinator to discuss your current menu and work out what is and isn’t working.
2. A four – six week seasonal menu will be devised, taking into consideration any food allergies, your timeframe and budget requirements.
3. 3x 60 minute skype sessions throughout your transition to ensure your food coordinator is on track with the recipes and that the children are compliant.
4. Unlimited email support.

Your menu will include 4-6 weeks of delicious recipes for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. We can also include meals specific to the 0-2 age group as well as alternatives for special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free etc).

If you’re already happy with your current menu, but would like some advice on how to make simple changes to improve it’s nutritional value, we can also get together face to face or via Skype and make a plan to suit your needs.

Investment: from $550

Email katie@nourishedbeginnings.org to book a free 15 minute Skype session to discuss how I can help with your menu planning.

What is it? 

Our Professional Development Courses are designed specifically for child care Food Coordinators who are ready to further their education in nutrition and whole food basics.   The aim of this training is to provide your Food Coordinators with the tools and knowledge they need to prepare nutritionally balanced, nourishing meals for the children in your care, all whilst keeping within a tight food budget.

Who is it for? 

Long day care, family day care, all early childhood services!  Food coordinators, early childhood educators and centre managers. Everyone will benefit from learning more about early childhood nutrition.

Topics covered:  

• Whole Food Concepts – Specific whole food ingredients and how to implement them in a child care kitchen.
• Nutrition Basics – Proteins, carbohydrates and fats. What are they and how do they affect the 0-5 age group.
• Digestion &Immunity – How food affects the development and maintenance of healthy digestion and immunity in children.
• Allergies & Food Sensitivities – how to manage multiple allergies in a busy kitchen.
• Catering for the 0-2 age group – Foods to avoid and foods to include for thriving, healthy babies.
• Menu planning – How to realistically implement a healthy menu that not only will the children love, but is also affordable and practical  Making a healthy change – how to ease the transition into making a healthy change (getting staff on board and making it a joyful experience).

+ Live cooking demonstrations to show you just how easy it is to include whole food in your busy child care kitchen.

+ Any other topics that are specific to your needs may also be included in the training session.

Investment: from $400 (depending on numbers and time needed)

Email katie@nourishedbeginnings.org to book your professional development course today.

* Our Professional Development Courses run for 2 – 4 hours dependant on your needs and the topics to be covered.    * The total cost of our Professional Development Courses will be dependant upon the length of the course and the number of attendees. This will be discussed and agreed upon prior to signing your contract.  

Is there a course running near you? CLICK HERE to view our current professional development course calendar.

Our parent nutrition evenings are the perfect opportunity to show your families just how important their child’s health is to you. It is also a great chance to showcase what your centre is doing to provide their children with nourishing, wholesome, delicious meals!

During your 1 hour session, we will discuss all things childhood nutrition and how parents can start implementing a whole food diet at home (that the kids will actually eat!).

Includes parent handouts, cooking demonstrations and delicious tastings.

Email katie@nourishedbeginnings.org for more information.

Now that you’ve made the decision to implement a whole food menu, it’s time to get the staff on board! One of the key factors in making nutrition a priority in your centre is having educators not only knowledgeable but also excited about making a healthy change. Your educators play a highly important role in talking to the children about food, encouraging them to try new foods and educating them on the food they are eating.

What are the benefits of an Educator Wellness Day?

1. Educated staff will in turn be able to educate the children in healthy food choices.
2. Less resistance when it comes to implementing your new menu.
3. Healthier staff = higher productivity and a happier workplace.

Our Educator Wellness Days are tailored to suit your centres individual needs. For example, we can include a mini yoga session as well as our nutrition presentation, cooking demonstrations and delicious tastings. The key here is to discuss the wellbeing of your staff. Make them feel more confident in their own health choices, whilst including a discussion on why childhood nutrition is so important and the role they play.

Email katie@nourishedbeginnings.org  for more information or to book your Educator Wellness Day.