That a great childcare experience stays with you is proven by a remarkable story from Rotterdam. At a childcare location with its own chef, former toddlers are returning years later — this time as parents. What do they remember most? The hot meals prepared fresh every day, according to a report by the AD.
A chef as a defining feature
Most childcare locations in the Netherlands rely on ready-made meals or packed lunches. Having an in-house chef is relatively rare and is often seen by parents as a premium offering. Yet this example shows that such an investment can leave a lasting impression — not just on the children themselves, but on their families too.
For young children, food is about much more than nutrition. Regular mealtimes, familiar aromas, and shared meals all contribute to a sense of security and routine. The fact that these kinds of memories remain vivid decades later highlights just how important daily routines at childcare are to a child's experience.
Food quality at childcare
In the Netherlands, childcare organizations are not legally required to provide hot meals. Most daycare centers (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) serve a bread-based lunch. Hot meals are more common at after-school care (BSO) settings or at organizations that make it a deliberate part of their educational philosophy.
Parents who actively look for childcare with a focus on nutrition typically consider:
- Whether fresh meals are prepared on-site or ready-made products are used
- Whether allergies and dietary requirements are accommodated
- Whether mealtimes are treated as a social activity involving the children
- Whether the childcare provider is transparent about what is on the daily menu
What does this mean for parents?
The Rotterdam story is a reminder that childcare is about far more than a place for children to stay while parents are at work. Everyday experiences — including what children eat and how mealtimes are shared — are part of a child's development and overall wellbeing.
Parents looking for a childcare location can use Kiddie to search for locations that offer hot meals using the available filters.