Children at Walton Nursery and Early Years Centre, Liverpool, have been learning to make tasty meals and snacks as part of a healthy eating initiative.
Staff at the nursery, on Cavendish Drive, help the children who are 3 to 4 years old to prepare freshly made meals and snacks, the youngsters are actively involved in the food preparation and cooking process.
The children have learned to make a variety or meals including supercharged organic fruit smoothies, chicken noodle soup fresh strawberry and vanilla yoghurt and vegan white bean soup.
Healthy eating has many benefits for children. It can:
- Stabilise energy
- Improve concentration
- Improve overall physical and mental wellbeing
- Help them maintain a healthy weight.
Jennifer Williams, early years teacher at Walton Nursery and Early Years Centre, has recently qualified as a physical and nutritional coordinator (PANCo) through an opportunity provided by School Improvement Liverpool.
She said: “The children have loved learning to cook in the classroom. It’s so lovely to see them preparing food, becoming familiar with fresh fruits and vegetables and most importantly showing willingness to try the food they have prepared!
“Knowing how to produce healthy meals and snacks is an important life skill and we are proud to be supporting the health and wellbeing of our children.”
Walton Nursery and Early Years Centre operates a term time only provision for children who are eligible for the 2 & 3-year-old funding. The service is operated by Ambito Education, part of the Salutem Group.
