At Oma Rāpeti Early Learning Centre we believe high-quality nutrition is important for health, well-being, growth, and development.

• We enjoy a vegetarian diet.
• Should you and your family choose to follow a vegan diet, we can easily cater for this. 
• The children love to get involved in our organic vegetable garden; selecting and growing their own plants. 
• As much as possible our ingredients are organic.
• We cook from scratch using real ingredients like garlic, onion, fresh herbs, dried herbs and spices, organic vegetable bouillon, olive oil, and rice-bran oil.
• Our drinking water is filtered.
• We use organic flour and rice and other organic dried goods in our regular home baking of low sugar treats.
• We cater for vegetarian, dairy free, and gluten free diets, with egg free options where necessary.
• We cater for all children with any allergies.
• We make vegetable smoothies packed full of nutrition.
• Meals are served with fresh vegetables like cucumber or steamed broccoli.
• Muesli or porridge is available for any child needing breakfast, along with morning and afternoon tea, lunch, and a late snack if required.
• Children bring their own lunch boxes on a Friday and we encourage parents and children to make healthy choices with as little packaging as possible. 
• We encourage building independence in eating.
• Children learn to serve themselves, have patience, and enjoy this important social time together.

Sugar policy: we have a no sugar policy in place here at Oma Rāpeti. Children enjoy home baking with natural sweeteners such as honey used.

We ask that parents do not bring in cakes on birthdays, in line with our policy. Our birthdays are celebrated with beautiful birthday trays that the children choose and decorate themselves. Parents are always welcome to join our celebrations.

No preservatives: we make as much of our food from scratch, meaning there are a little preservatives as possible.

We serve a variety of meals from different places around the world, such as...

• Organic pasta with tomato passata sauce, steamed veggies, and cheese.
• Fried rice with vegetables, egg, and soy sauce.
• Wraps with salad, hummus, and cheese.
• Sushi bowls with rice, carrot, cucumber. and tamari sauce.
• Mild chickpea curry with coconut milk.
• Fresh sandwiches with salad, cheese, mashed egg, and mayo.
• Refried bean and cheese toasted nacho bowls.