Summer Menu

Healthy Eating for Children in Summer

At Renaissance Nurseries, we understand that summer is a wonderful time for children to explore, play, and grow. Nutrition plays a crucial role in their development, especially during the vibrant summer months. A healthy diet not only ensures adequate energy levels but also supports cognitive functions, emotional well-being, and overall health. This page highlights the importance of healthy eating during summer and provides valuable information on nutritious options that can be easily incorporated into your child's diet.

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Breakfast 7:30 am to 8:45 am
Lunch 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Light Tea 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

The Importance of Nutrition During the Warm Months

We highly recommend including a variety of fruits and vegetables in your child's meals. Fresh produce such as berries, melons, and cucumbers are not only hydrating but also packed with essential vitamins and minerals. These colourful options can often be transformed into fun snacks, like fruit skewers or vegetable sticks with dips, making healthy eating an enjoyable experience for young children. Emphasising the consumption of whole foods while minimising processed items is pivotal for establishing good nutritional habits from an early age.

Hydration is another essential aspect of healthy eating during summer, so ensure your children have easy access to water and refreshing iced drinks throughout the day. Encouraging them to drink plenty of fluids helps maintain their energy and concentration levels, especially during outdoor play. Reducing added sugars and salt in their meals is important for their long-term health. Opt for homemade meals and snacks, where you can control the ingredients, making it easier to create balanced and nutritious options for your little ones.

April To August

Apr - Weeks: 1, 2, 3, 4

French Poulet Provençal

Roasted chicken with tomatoes, mixed summer vegetables, garlic, and herbs. (None)

Nigerian Mild Jollof Rice with Chicken

Tomato-based rice cooked with mild spices, carrots, peas, and soft baked chicken pieces. (None)

English Roast Chicken with Vegetables & Gravy

Oven-roasted chicken served with carrots, peas, and fluffy potatoes, with a light gravy. (None)

Turkish Tavuk Sote (Mild Chicken & Vegetable Stew)

Tender chicken pieces cooked with tomatoes, peppers, courgette, and mild herbs. Served with rice. (None)

Spanish Pollo al Limón (Lemon Chicken)

Oven-baked chicken breast with mild paprika, garlic, and lemon. Served with rice and peas. (None)

Greek Mini Chicken Souvlaki (Oven-Baked)

Oven-baked chicken pieces served with rice and mixed vegetables. (None)

Scottish Chicken Stovies

Soft chicken pieces cooked gently with potatoes, carrots, onions, and a light stock. (None)

Ensalada de Patata Española (Spanish Potato Salad)

Boiled potatoes, peas, carrots, and a light yoghurt dressing - no raw onion. (Milk)

May - Weeks: 1, 2, 3, 4

Scottish Macaroni Cheese

Soft macaroni in a creamy cheese sauce, served with steamed broccoli. (Gluten, Milk, Egg)

French Quiche Lorraine

Egg-based tart with cheese and small pieces of cooked ham. (Gluten, Egg, Milk)

Ivovian Mild Attiéké with Chicken & Vegetables

Attiéké (Ivorian couscous-style cassava grains) served with baked chicken, mixed salad. (None)

Turkish Sebzeli Bulgur Pilavı (Vegetable Bulgur Pilaf)

Fine bulgur cooked with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and carrots. (Gluten)

Spanish Albóndigas de Pollo (Chicken Meatballs in Mild Tomato Sauce)

Soft chicken meatballs in a smooth vegetable-rich tomato sauce. Served with pasta. (Gluten)

English Cottage Pie Served with Gravy

Minced beef cooked with carrots, peas, and a mild gravy, topped with mashed potato. (None Celery, Gluten, Milk)

Chicken Yassa (Senegal)

Lemon and onion chicken dish, made mild and served with plain rice. (None)

English Shepherd’s Pie (Lamb)

Minced lamb cooked with vegetables in a mild gravy, topped with mash.(Celery, Milk, Gluten)

Jun - Weeks: 1, 2, 3, 4

French Pâtes à la Pistou

Pasta in a mild basil-and-garlic pesto. (Gluten, Milk)

Spinach & Potato Bake (Spanakopita-Inspired)

Soft potatoes, spinach, and a little mild cheese baked together. (Milk)

Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelette)

Soft potato and egg omelette cut into toddler-friendly slices. Served with a cucumber & tomato salad. (Egg)

English Cheesy Vegetable Bake

Broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots baked in a mild cheese sauce. (Milk, Gluten)

French Tomates Provençales

Baked tomatoes with breadcrumbs and herbs. (Gluten)

Scottish Beef Mince with Neeps & Tatties

Soft minced beef cooked with carrots and onions, served with mashed potatoes and swede. (Milk, Egg)

Turkish Tavuklu Şehriye Çorbası (Chicken & Orzo Soup – Nursery Version)

Mild soup with soft chicken pieces, vegetables, and tiny orzo pasta. (Gluten, Celery)

Guinean Mild Groundnut (Peanut) Stew

A creamy-style stew made using sunflower seed butter instead of peanuts, with soft chicken and vegetables. (None)

Jun - Weeks: 5 / Jul - Weeks: 1, 2, 3, 4

French Gratin Dauphinois (Light)

Soft baked sliced potatoes in a milk-based sauce with herbs. (Milk)

Spanish Lentejas Suaves (Mild Lentil Stew)

Soft red lentils cooked with carrots, potatoes, and mild spices. (None)

Waakye Rice with Vegetables (Ghana)

Rice cooked with beans (kidney or black-eyed peas), served with carrots and sweetcorn. (None)

English Mild Beef Stew with Dumplings

Soft beef stew with carrots, potatoes, and peas, served with dumplings.(Gluten, Celery)

Kedjenou Chicken and Couscous

Slow-cooked chicken with tomatoes, onions, carrots, and herbs, served with rice or couscous. (Gluten)

English Vegetable & Lentil Soup with Bread

A thick soup of lentils, carrots, potatoes, and mild herbs, served with soft bread. (Gluten)

Irish Stew

Soft lamb or beef cooked slowly with potatoes, carrots, peas, and mild herbs. (None)

Turkish Sulu Köfte (Meatball Stew)

Soft beef or lamb meatballs cooked in a tomato and vegetable broth with potatoes and carrots. (None)

Aug - Weeks: 1, 2, 3, 4

Irish Shepherd’s Pie

Soft minced lamb with vegetables and mild gravy, topped with mashed potato. (None)

French Haricots Verts Amandine

Steamed green beans tossed with a little lemon and olive oil.
(Almond)

Guinean Tomato & Okra Stew with Rice

Okra cooked down to a soft, mild texture in tomato sauce with mixed vegetables. (None)

English Chicken & Vegetable Pasta Bake

Short pasta mixed with chicken and a creamy vegetable sauce, baked with mild cheese. (Gluten, Milk)

Greek Vegetable Stew (Briam)

Mildly seasoned stew of potatoes, courgettes, tomatoes, and aubergine, cooked until very soft. (None)

Beans & Plantain Stew (Ghana)

Soft stewed black-eyed beans with gently sautéed ripe plantain and Beef. (None)

Spanish Pasta con Salsa de Tomate Suave (Mild Tomato Pasta)

Short pasta with a smooth tomato & vegetable sauce (Gluten)

English Jacket Potato Bar

Oven-baked jacket potatoes with tuna mayo, cheese and sweetcorn. (Milk, Egg)