At Meraki Early Learning Centre we have meals that excite our children! Our full-time chef on the premise, Jess, and her amazing assistants Yvonne and Natasha cook and prepare morning teas, home cooked lunches, and freshly baked afternoon tea.
Meet our kitchen team
Jess
Centre Cook
Yvonne
Kitchen Assistant
Tash
Kitchen Assistant
A seasonal, inclusive menu
The menu is seasonal and rotates on a quarterly basis. All menu items are adapted accordingly to meet the needs of all children at the service with dietary, religious and allergy requirements. The menus are uploaded through the Food Australia website to ensure that we are meeting all the daily requirements to optimise the health of the children who attend our service.
Trolleys are prepared in the kitchen and taken to the rooms for each mealtime. The children enjoy their meals with their peers in their own learning environments throughout the day before cleaning their bowls and sending the trolley back to the kitchen to be restocked.
Self-help skills are encouraged at all ages and children are provided with age-appropriate tools to help them build on their techniques. Tongs can be tricky! Educators use mealtimes as a great opportunity to engage in conversations with the children and help them build their social and emotional skills engaging with their peers over a meal.
If your child has a dietary requirement, please alert one of our managers on enrolment. There is some documentation set by the Department of Education that must be completed prior to commencement. We are happy to run through it all with you to ensure this is completed as quickly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions families ask about meals, allergies and dietary needs at Meraki.
Are all meals included in the daily fee?
Yes. Morning tea, a freshly cooked hot lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack are all included in your daily fee — along with water and milk throughout the day. You don't need to pack any food unless your child has a specific dietary need we've discussed.
Who prepares the food and where is it cooked?
All meals are prepared on-site in our centre kitchen by our full-time chef Jess and her assistants Yvonne and Tash. Nothing is reheated from a commercial supplier — it's home-style cooking, made fresh each day.
How often does the menu change?
Our menu is seasonal and rotates on a quarterly basis, so the children enjoy variety throughout the year and meals reflect what's fresh in season. The current menu is displayed at the centre and uploaded through Food Australia to ensure daily nutritional requirements are met.
Can you cater for allergies and intolerances?
Absolutely. We routinely cater for common allergies (including dairy, egg, gluten, nuts, soy and seafood) and intolerances. Each child's dietary plan is documented and shared with the kitchen and educator team, and meals are prepared separately to avoid cross-contamination.
What about cultural, religious or vegetarian/vegan diets?
Our menu is adapted to respect every family's cultural, religious and ethical food choices, including halal, vegetarian and vegan diets. Just let us know on enrolment and we'll build it into your child's meal plan.
What documentation do I need to provide for an allergy or medical dietary need?
For medically diagnosed allergies and conditions, the Department of Education requires a Medical Management Plan and a Risk Minimisation Plan completed with your GP or specialist. Our managers will walk you through the paperwork at enrolment and help you complete it as quickly as possible.
Where do the children eat their meals?
Trolleys are prepared in the kitchen and taken to each room at mealtimes. Children eat together with their peers in their own learning environment, which keeps mealtimes calm, social and part of their daily rhythm.
Do you support fussy eaters?
Yes — we encourage children to try new foods without pressure. Educators sit and eat alongside the children, model healthy eating, and gently introduce new tastes and textures. Over time, children at Meraki are often surprised by how much they enjoy meals they wouldn't try at home.
What about babies and bottle feeds?
For our youngest children, we follow each family's individual feeding plan. We provide pureed and mashed foods appropriate to each baby's stage, and store and prepare expressed breast milk or formula in line with food safety guidelines.
Can my child help with self-feeding?
Definitely. Self-help skills are encouraged at all ages and children are provided with age-appropriate utensils — even tongs! Mealtimes are a wonderful opportunity for children to build independence, social skills and confidence with their peers.
Can I see a sample menu before enrolling?
Of course — just ask during your tour or contact us and we'll happily share the current seasonal menu so you can see exactly what your child would be eating each day.
Have another question? Get in touch with our team.
Want to see what's on this season's menu?
Get in touch or come and visit — we'd love to show you around the kitchen and chat about your child's dietary needs.