At Hatching Dragons, we understand that mealtimes are more than just fuel—they're moments of discovery, connection, and education. Our July nursery menu reflects our mission to foster multicultural awareness and cognitive development through a holistic and engaging early years experience. By introducing African-inspired nursery meals, we’re not only meeting the highest standards of childcare nutrition but also nurturing empathy, curiosity, and global citizenship in our little learners.
Proper nutrition in childcare settings supports brain development, emotional regulation, and physical growth. At Hatching Dragons, our culturally rich, in-house prepared meals align with best practices in food and nutrition for childcare settings, including:
We don’t just serve food—we explain it. Every meal is an opportunity to explain the nutritional value of the main food groups in ways children understand. We talk about how carrots help us see, lentils help us grow, and couscous gives us energy to play.
Our July menu is a flavorful map, guiding children from the warm spices of North Africa to the hearty stews of Southern Africa. Every dish is carefully selected to reflect cultural diversity, nutritional value, and child-friendly flavors.
These dishes help introduce food and nutrition sciences by showing how grains, legumes, and vegetables interact to create balanced, flavorful meals.
These meals support early years global food education by showing that different cultures solve the same nutritional challenges in beautifully diverse ways.
Our menu is crafted by chefs who are trained in food preparation and nutrition specifically for early years. Here's how we make traditional African dishes suitable for toddlers:
By offering these modified dishes, we create a healthy nursery menu that doesn’t compromise on flavor or education.
We integrate food and cultural learning for kids into mealtimes by:
Our approach supports language development, literacy, and emotional intelligence—all through the joy of eating.
Snacks are light, colorful, and nutritious—think avocado toast, hummus with rice crackers, and Greek yogurt with fruit.
This routine reinforces structure and supports the physical and emotional wellbeing of children in line with our nutrition policy in childcare.
Q: Why food and nutrition is important in early years?
A: It shapes lifelong habits, supports physical growth, and is essential for cognitive and emotional development.
Q: How do you ensure meals are balanced?
A: We follow government guidance, use the food and nutrition pyramid, and adapt traditional dishes with whole foods.
Q: Do children learn about where their food comes from?
A: Yes, through storytelling, visuals, and linking food to festivals, geography, and values.
Q: What if my child is a picky eater?
A: We offer familiar ingredients in new ways and gently encourage trying, never forcing. Peer influence also helps!
By offering multicultural nursery food rooted in African culinary traditions, we’re helping children explore the world from their highchairs. Our July menu shows how food can be a bridge to understanding, connection, and health.
At Hatching Dragons, nutrition isn’t just about meals—it’s about food science and nutrition, cultural empathy, and preparing children for a diverse, delicious world.