Inside Out Program
What is the Inside Out Program?
Our Inside Out Program is an extension of our commitment to premium, Chef-led dining experiences within every Green Leaves Early Learning Centre. But it’s more than just healthy meals. The Inside Out Program is a dedicated food and nutrition initiative designed to nurture children’s understanding of healthy choices, encourage positive mealtime experiences, and empower families to continue the journey at home. It’s our holistic approach to food education that starts in the kitchen and extends into the classroom, the family home, and beyond.
As part of this program, our Eat the Rainbow video below brings food education to life by highlighting how different fruits and vegetables support children’s growth and wellbeing in unique ways. It’s a vibrant, engaging way to help children learn that eating a variety of colourful foods is not only fun, but also fuels their bodies to play, learn, and thrive.
How do we implement the Inside Out Program?
Promote healthy food choices
Children are introduced to a variety of colourful, seasonal, and nutritious ingredients prepared by our qualified in-house Chefs. They learn about balanced meals, the importance of fresh produce, and how food fuels their growing bodies and minds.
Foster a positive food culture
We create a supportive and inclusive mealtime environment where children are encouraged to try new flavours, develop confidence around food, and participate in food-related conversations that build curiosity and understanding.
Empower families at home
The Inside Out Program bridges the gap between the Centre and home. We share simple, nutritious recipes developed by our Chefs that families can recreate together, helping to reinforce healthy habits and create meaningful moments around food.
“Can’t recommend Green Leaves enough! The in-house Chef prepares a variety of delicious and nutritious meals for the children and conducts monthly cooking lessons with them. For the parents, Chef also makes freshly made muffins and barista coffee every morning! ”
Why it matters: building healthy habits for life
Good nutrition in early childhood is vital for physical development, emotional well-being, and cognitive growth. By creating a healthy food culture early on, children are more likely to:
Through Inside Out, we help take the pressure off families by modelling healthy eating daily and by offering practical support for meal planning and food preparation at home.
What’s included?
The Inside Out Program is fully integrated into the daily experience at Green Leaves and is included in your daily fee. It complements our broader curriculum and includes:
Events and theme days focused on food culture, sustainability and wellness
Chef-prepared, seasonal meals and snacks
Interactive food experiences in the classroom
Recipe sharing with parents, families, and carers
Child-friendly nutrition education through play and storytelling
Recipes the whole family can enjoy
We know that getting children excited about healthy food at home can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Our Chefs regularly share delicious, family-friendly recipes that are easy to prepare, nutritionally balanced, designed to appeal to little taste buds, and fun to cook together. From veggie-packed muffins to nourishing dinners, here are some of the recipes our Chefs serve the children in the Centres.
