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Nutrition at Little Scholars

CHEF- PREPARED MEALS TO SUPPORT GROWTH, LEARNING, AND HEALTHY HABITS

Childcare nutrition that grows healthy eaters.

At Little Scholars, we provide fresh, chef-cooked meals and snacks prepared onsite every single day. Our seasonal menus cover everything from breakfast to afternoon tea, meaning your child enjoys wholesome, balanced nutrition without you ever having to pack a lunchbox. Best of all, it’s all fully included in your daily fees.

Chef-prepared daily✦Breakfast, lunch & afternoon tea✦4-week rotating menu✦Feed Australia approved✦Allergy-aware kitchens✦Locally sourced✦Vegetarian & halal options✦ Chef-prepared daily✦Breakfast, lunch & afternoon tea✦4-week rotating menu✦Feed Australia approved✦Allergy-aware kitchens✦Locally sourced✦Vegetarian & halal options✦

Real meals, cooked fresh by our own chefs.

There are no reheated trays or outside caterers here. Every campus has an experienced in-house chef preparing wholesome meals and snacks from scratch each day, in our commercial-grade kitchens.

Breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea are nutritionally balanced, age-appropriate and portioned for growing bodies — using locally sourced, fresh ingredients. Our menus meet and exceed the Australian Dietary Guidelines, providing at least half of your child’s daily nutritional needs while they’re in our care

Good food does more than fill little tummies.

Healthy eating in the early years shapes concentration, mood and lifelong habits.
Plus, it takes a genuine weight off busy families.

Fuel for growing bodies

Balanced, age-appropriate meals support healthy physical development and help lower the risk of chronic illness later in life.

Sharper focus & calmer days

Steady nutrition supports concentration, mood and emotional wellbeing — so children are ready to learn and play.

Adventurous little eaters

Rotating menus and cultural cuisines gently expand palates, building confidence to try new flavours and textures.

One less thing to carry

No lunchboxes, no morning prep, no forgotten snacks. Three meals a day are handled, included in your fees.

Habits that stick

Social, unhurried mealtimes teach children where food comes from and why balance and variety matter — for life.

A true family partnership

We work with you on preferences, cultural needs and allergies so every child feels included, safe and nourished.

Good food does more than fill little tummies.

Healthy eating in the early years shapes concentration, mood and lifelong habits. Plus, it takes a genuine weight off busy families.

Fuel for growing bodies

Balanced, age-appropriate meals support healthy physical development and help lower the risk of chronic illness later in life.

Sharper focus & calmer days

Steady nutrition supports concentration, mood and emotional wellbeing — so children are ready to learn and play.

Adventurous little eaters

Rotating menus and cultural cuisines gently expand palates, building confidence to try new flavours and textures.

One less thing to carry

No lunchboxes, no morning prep, no forgotten snacks. Three meals a day are handled, included in your fees.

Habits that stick

Social, unhurried mealtimes teach children where food comes from and why balance and variety matter — for life.

A true family partnership

We work with you on preferences, cultural needs and allergies so every child feels included, safe and nourished.

Every child eats at their own pace.

If you have a picky eater at home, you're far from alone — it's a completely normal stage. The good news is that mealtimes in care can quietly work wonders.

Eating alongside friends, with no pressure and a relaxed routine, encourages children to try foods they might refuse at home. Our educators make mealtimes social and positive, offering new foods gently and repeatedly, celebrating small wins, and never turning the table into a battleground.

Child enjoying a mealtime at Little Scholars

A few things you can try at home for picky eaters

Offer, don't pressure. Keep serving small portions of new foods without forcing — it can take many tries before a child accepts something.

Cook together. Children who help prepare food are far more likely to taste it. Our muffin recipe below is a perfect place to start.

Eat together. Sitting and eating the same meal as your child models the behaviour you'd love to see.

Keep it calm. A relaxed, screen-free table with predictable routines helps anxious eaters feel safe to explore.

Let our chef’s make dinner, too.

Our chefs can prepare family-sized take-home meals you can collect at pick-up — the same fresh, Feed Australia–approved cooking your child enjoys.

Just $7.50 per meal. Pre-order required.

Our take home meals are part of our exclusive Family Time Program. It’s one of the simplest ways we hand your evenings back – no shopping and no cooking!

Our chef's recipes - Little Scholars

Our chef's recipes, free to download.

A taste of what your child enjoys at Little Scholars.

Autumn / Winter

Apple & Cinnamon Muffins

12Makes

15mPrep

25mCook

Egg-free & nut-free · dairy-optional (use any milk) · contains gluten

Autumn / Winter

Minestrone Soup

4Serves

25mPrep

25mCook

Vegetarian & vegan-friendly · packed with veggies · contains gluten (use GF pasta)

Safe, included, and cared for.

At Little Scholars, we take food allergies extremely seriously. We cater for the full range of dietary requirements — medical, cultural, religious and preference-based — so every child eats well and no one is ever left out.

Are you managing a specific allergy or medical dietary need? Chat with your campus team during your tour and they’ll talk you through exactly how your child will be supported.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of food do children eat at Little Scholars?

Children enjoy three chef-prepared meals and snacks each day — breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea — built around fresh fruit and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Menus rotate over four weeks and change with the seasons to introduce new flavours, textures and cultural cuisines.

Do you provide breakfast?

Yes. We offer a variety of nutritious breakfast options each morning, and a dedicated breakfast is served for children who arrive before 7am — so early starts never mean an empty tummy.

Who prepares the meals?

Every campus has its own experienced in-house chef who cooks fresh on site each day in a commercial-grade kitchen — not reheated trays or outside catering. Meals are nutritionally balanced, age-appropriate and portioned for growing bodies.

Are meals included in the fees, or do I pack a lunchbox?

All meals and snacks are included in your daily fees — there’s no lunchbox to pack. Our menus are designed to provide at least 50% of your child’s daily nutritional needs while they’re in care.

How are allergies and special dietary requirements managed?

We take allergies extremely seriously. For any child with a diagnosed allergy, we require an allergy management plan signed off by their doctor, which we keep on file and follow closely. We also cater for medical, cultural, religious and preference-based dietary needs — including vegetarian, vegan, halal, dairy-free and egg-free options — and tailor meals to each child in partnership with their family.

My child is a fussy eater. Will they be okay?

Absolutely — and they’re in good company. Eating alongside friends in a relaxed, no-pressure setting encourages children to try foods they might refuse at home. Our educators introduce new foods gently and repeatedly, celebrate small wins, and keep mealtimes positive and social.

Do the meals follow nutrition guidelines?

Yes. Our seasonal menus are Feed Australia–approved and designed to meet and exceed the Australian Dietary Guidelines, providing at least half of your child’s daily nutritional requirements while in care.

Can I see the menu?

Of course. Menus are displayed at every campus and you can view them at any time — we always welcome family feedback and suggestions. You can also download a sample menu to see what a typical week looks like.

Can I get the meals to take home for dinner?

Yes — our chefs prepare family-sized take-home meals for $7.50 each (pre-order), as part of the Family Time Program. It’s an easy way to take the dinner scramble off your plate.

See what's on the menu this week.

Book a tour to see our kitchens, meet the team and find out exactly how we'll feed and nourish your little scholar.

Book a Tour Find your Nearest Campus

Grow · Inspire · Learn · Contribute

Healthy meals are the foundation of growth

Developing healthy eating habits

At Little Scholars School of Early Learning, we believe that healthy meals are the foundation of growth, early childhood development, and education. Our nutrition program is designed to nurture healthy habits from the very start – helping children learn to enjoy a wide variety of fresh, nutritious foods every day.

Chef-Prepared, Wholesome Meals

Every Little Scholars campus has an experienced in-house chef who prepares 3-course delicious, balanced meals and snacks daily in our commercial-grade kitchens.

Meals are nutritionally balanced, age-appropriate, and portioned for growing bodies.
Our menus meet and exceed the Australian Dietary Guidelines and recommendations that children in long daycare receive at least 50% of their daily nutritional needs while in care.
We proudly offer vegetarian, halal, and allergy-friendly options, and use our online allergy notification system to ensure every child’s safety.

Rotating Seasonal Menus

Our four-week rotating menu changes with the seasons to introduce new flavours, textures, and cultural cuisines. Children are encouraged to explore new foods, develop healthy preferences, and expand their palates in a fun, supportive environment.

Parents can view the menu at any time, and we always welcome family feedback and suggestions!

See what your child could be enjoying each week – fresh, balanced, and nutritious meals!

Nutrition that Supports Growth and Learning

Healthy eating supports not just physical development but also concentration, learning, and emotional wellbeing. By promoting balanced nutrition in early childhood, we help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease later in life.

What Makes Our Nutrition Program Special

Feed Australia–approved seasonal menus
Locally sourced fresh ingredients
Child-led food exploration and learning
Allergy and intolerance management
Qualified chefs at every centre
Transparent menu display and parent feedback opportunities

Teaching Healthy Habits for Life

We make mealtimes social, educational, and enjoyable. Our educators use food experiences to help children:

Partnering with Families

At Little Scholars, we know that nutrition is a team effort. We collaborate with families to support dietary preferences, cultural needs, and allergy management so every child feels included, safe, and nourished.