At our BestStart Abacus, though we are a lunch box centre and tamariki bring in their own delicious kai from home.
We intentionally incorporate baking experiences into our curriculum planning to provide fresh, healthy morning or afternoon tea options that we can prepare together.
These planned cooking experiences are a special part of our programme, and our tamariki are always excited to be involved in the process. When we gather to bake, children eagerly take turns measuring, mixing, pouring, and stirring.
These hands-on opportunities allow them to build practical skills while also strengthening their confidence and independence. Just as important, baking together creates meaningful connections between home and centre. Tamariki often reflect on their own experiences of baking with their whānau, sharing stories and noticing similarities with their peers. These conversations foster communication, connection, and a sense of community.
This practice links closely to our centre priority of Mana Atua. By empowering tamariki to actively participate, we nurture their sense of capability and wellbeing, while also honouring the knowledge and values they bring from home. Supporting these connections strengthens the Mana Atua of both the child and their whānau, contributing positively to their overall hauora.
We are proud to be certified by the Healthy Heart Foundation, ensuring the kai we prepare as part of our planned baking experiences supports healthy hearts and growing bodies. We also value each child as an individual, carefully catering to dietary needs so every tamaiti feels respected, included, and a strong sense of belonging within our centre community.