Our approach to food
Each of our four locations has a chef on site. They are an important part of our community. Every chef has their specialties, and each school has its own “local flavour”. All of our chefs, however, prepare healthy, varied snacks and lunches, drawing on cuisine influences from all over the world. A registered dietician reviews our menus annually, ensuring children get everything they need to feed their active minds.
Meals and snack times provide educational experiences, as well as a peaceful, relaxed time for socialization and conversation. We buy organic and locally grown ingredients whenever possible, and are proud to support businesses in our neighbourhoods.
We often customize our menus to suit children who have vegetarian, vegan, lactose free, and gluten free diets. We also take allergies very seriously, and work with parents to develop a nutrition plan to ensure children eat well and eat safely at all times.
Chefs
Tom
City Place
Favourite Dish
Pizza
Children’s Favourite Dish
Tortellini and Chicken Burgers
Ben
Coatsworth
Favourite Dish
Pasta and pizzaChildren’s Favourite Dish
Pancakes and Macaroni and Cheese!Amal
Infinity Place
Favourite Dish
PizzaChildren’s Favourite Dish
Butter chicken is a huge hit!Simone
Simcoe Place
Favourite Dish
“Gingerbread, our bake sale favourite”Children’s Favourite Dish
Tortilla Bean and Chicken Casserole
Physical fitness
Each of our centres has playgrounds specifically designed for each age level. Children learn better when they are physically active, and we make sure they have a rich balance of organized game play and unstructured discovery-based active time. On days when weather does not allow us to spend sufficient time outside, we set up indoor physical activity facilities to ensure children still get the exercise they need.
Yoga
Even in small children, yoga helps provide both physical and mental well being. Each week, Cheeba takes our Casa children through their favourite poses – shark, tree, cloud pose and so much more – while providing them with the basics of yogic breathing and meditation.
Music
Our music teacher Adriana instills the children at all our locations with foundational music appreciation and literacy. Through songs, games and instruction, children learn the fundamentals of rhythm, melody and harmony. Adriana introduces children to a wide range of instruments from around the world, and also teaches them how to use that beautiful instrument they were born with – the human voice.
French
Casa children are at a unique age where they can learn languages more naturally and deeply than at any other point in their lives. We provide a foundation in French vocabulary and grammar, helping to prepare the children to participate fully in Canada’s bilingual society.
