Meet Dina, mother to a 2-year-old boy and member of our fantastic Parent Panel; a diverse community of Bright Horizons parents sharing their experiences of raising happy, thriving and confident children.
As a parent, there’s something special about discovering the meals my little one looks forward to, especially from nursery. For my son his favourite dish is wiggly worm spaghetti with veggie mince with a side of veggies especially cauliflower. When I ask him at home after looking at the Bright Horizons app, he tells me how he had some yummy food and said he had fun eating with his hands!
What’s really great is looking at the app and asking my little one what he liked (I can also see this from what his key worker has put - little, most or all! Then ask him at home, “Shall we make what you had at nursery at home?” making food both fun and also nutritious when he gets involved in the process.
The red saucy spaghetti with mince is one of his favourites - getting protein in his meal and also the roasted veg, cauliflower, broccoli and sweet potato on the side supporting with a balanced diet. It’s a win-win for both parents and children.
It’s not just about the meal itself though. The social aspect of eating with the family makes it even more important. They talk and bond over their shared love of food, getting him to help out with cooking and making meals a key part of their day.
For me, hearing my little one talk about their favourite nursery meal reassures me that they are not only enjoying their time at nursery but also developing healthy eating habits in a fun and relaxed environment.