Kitchen

At Orchard Early Learning Centres, we wholeheartedly believe that children should have abounding access to the natural environment. It’s the reason we have integrated and surrounded our centres with extensive produce gardens and orchards. Not only that, each centre also features a stingless native Australian bee hive, herbal lavender garden and chicken coops for our free-ranging centre chickens.

Children are encouraged to be actively involved in the planting, caring and harvesting of our garden produce, to learn first-hand where their food comes from and our Centre Chef's bring this produce to life as part of our Paddock to Plate philosophy.

Each day, we provide children in our care with 5 delicious, healthy meals that are seasonally based, utilising produce from our gardens developed specifically to nurture both the body and the mind.

NURSERY MENU

Our Nursery menu has been specifically curated to suit the differing requirements of our littlest age group.

From puree meals, to blended alternatives and the incorporation of solid foods, we work with families to ensure their child is meeting their eating and developmental milestones.

We support families that have children that are still breastfeeding by offering a quiet space for families to breastfeed, and safe storage options for breast milk We work with families to ensure that their home routines can continue at care.

Vegetarian, egg free and dairy free options are available, as well as gluten free alternatives (available on request).

You can view a sample of our Autumn Nursery Menu for 2021

PRESCHOOL MENU

In the Preschool, our seasonal rotating menu focuses on ensuring this energetic age group have 5 nutritious and balanced meals each day that will provide them with the fuel they need to learn, play and develop.

Each day, breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late afternoon snack are created fresh by our centre Chef's, incorporating produce and fruits grown and picked by the children from our Children's Kitchen Garden and Orchard.

The children are actively involved in the creation of the centre meals to provide them with the knowledge and independence they will need to make healthy choices as they grow and develop.

Our meals also allow alternatives for allergies and cultural requirements.

You can view a sample of our Autumn Pre-School Menu for 2021