As parents, we spend a lot of time worrying about what our children eat. Is it nutritious? Is it safe? And perhaps most importantly, will they actually eat it?
Recent conversations in Singapore have highlighted just how important school meals are. Food is not merely fuel to get a child through the day. It is a source of comfort, a lesson in culture, and a daily touchpoint for safety and care.
At Changemakers Explorer, our approach to food is simple. We believe in serving meals that are familiar, freshly prepared, and balanced. We want mealtime to be a stress-free part of the day where children feel at home.
The Importance of an In-House Kitchen
We believe the best way to ensure quality is to keep it close to home. That is why every one of our centres operates its own in-house kitchen.
We do not rely on external mass catering. Instead, we have a dedicated team of cooks and kitchen staff who prepare food on-site before every meal. This allows us to have direct oversight of the food preparation process from start to finish, ensuring consistency and freshness of every meal.
Our kitchen teams are familiar faces to the children, often affectionately called ‘Auntie’. They understand the children’s preferences and take great pride in seeing clean bowls returned to the kitchen. This human connection ensures that every meal is made with a level of love and care that goes beyond a standard menu.
Why We Feature Local Dishes
If you happen to ask a Changemakers Explorer child, ‘Have you eaten?’, do not be surprised if they excitedly tell you about the Chicken Rice or Nasi Lemak they had for lunch. Our menu features these local staples for a reason.
We chose these dishes intentionally. We know that children are more likely to eat well when they recognise the food on their plate. By serving familiar local favourites, we can introduce healthier ingredients without resistance.
For example, our Mixed-Grain Hainanese Chicken Rice keeps the fragrant taste children love but incorporates mixed grains for added fibre. It is served with steamed chicken rather than roasted, along with fresh greens like Xiao Bai Cai and a clear winter melon soup.
We also serve Ayam Percik, a beloved Malay classic. It is the perfect way to introduce children to the world of spices gently. We marinate the chicken in aromatic turmeric and lemongrass to create a rich flavour without the overwhelming heat. It is served with fresh cucumber and tomato for a refreshing crunch.
Similarly, our Brown Rice Nasi Lemak offers the comfort of coconut rice but pairs it with a baked fish fillet instead of deep-fried wings. We include long beans to ensure a balanced intake of vegetables.
These meals are not designed to be ‘fancy’. They are designed to be comforting, culturally relevant, and nutritious.
Serving Nutritional Meals
Our in-house kitchens do not just serve a cultural menu. Our meals are also packed with nutrients to help kids grow while limiting overall calorie intake. By meticulously planning our meals, we ensure that specific dietary requirements are met and that every dish offers high nutritional value.
Here is a closer look at the science on our plates:
| Category | Menu Highlights | Vitamins & Nutrients | Benefits | Recommended Daily Intake* |
| PROTEIN | • Mixed Grain Hainanese Chicken Rice with Xiao Bai Cai • Steamed Fish with Tomato and Bak Choy • Teriyaki Glazed Fish Fillet | Vitamin B3, B6, B12, D, Omega-3 | Healing & Immunity: Supports metabolism, brain function, and immune system. | 50 – 120g |
| FRUITS & VEG | • Xiao Bai Cai, Bak Choy • Cauliflower, Carrots • Fresh Apples, Oranges, Watermelon | Vitamin A, B, and C | Vision & Skin: Vitamin A for eyes; Vitamin C for healthy skin and healing. | 100 – 180g |
| GRAINS | • Mixed Grain Rice • Wholemeal Spaghetti • Brown Rice Vermicelli • Wholemeal Pumpkin Bun | Vitamin B2, B3, & B6 | Energy & Brain: Riboflavin for energy production; B-Vitamins for nerve function. | 80 – 140g |
| DAIRY | • Milk • Surprise Yoghurt Parfait | Calcium, Probiotics, Vitamin D | Strong Bones: Calcium & Vitamin D for absorption; Probiotics aid digestion. | 200 – 300g |
To achieve this balance, we focus on five key pillars:
- Protein: Our lunches feature chicken and fish prepared in healthier ways such as braising, steaming, or in soups. Chicken provides Vitamin B3 and B6 for metabolism and brain function. Fish offers Omega-3, Vitamin D, and B12 for immunity, healing, and nerve health.
- Dairy: We serve milk at breakfast and yoghurt at tea to provide the necessary calcium for strong bones. Our yoghurt also supplies probiotics for healthy digestion.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Daily servings ensure a robust intake of Vitamins A, B, and C for vision, brain and nerve development, and healthy skin. They also provide essential fibre for digestion and serve as a healthier alternative to sugary or processed snacks.
- Grains: Making up roughly 50% of our meals, our grains are mainly wholemeal. This includes wholemeal bread at breakfast, wholegrain pumpkin buns at tea, and brown rice or wholemeal spaghetti at lunch. Whole grains help regulate blood sugar and improve focus.
- Variety: Our meals are appetising and diverse. We include Chinese, Malay, Japanese, Vietnamese, Italian, and Western cuisines to foster an early appreciation for different tastes, textures, and aromas.
Source: Nutrition for kids: Guidelines for a heathly diet. Mayo Clinic. 16 April 2025
Constant Improvement and Training
Preparing food for growing children requires specific skills. We are proud that our menu is Health Promotion Board (HPB) compliant, but we also want it to taste good.
To achieve this, our cooks undergo annual training workshops with professional chefs. They learn techniques to tenderise meat naturally and use herbs to enhance flavour so we can reduce salt and avoid artificial additives.
This commitment to upskilling helps us maintain a high standard. It ensures that dishes like our Ayam Percik (mildly spiced with turmeric and lemongrass) are suitable for young palates while remaining authentic.
Our efforts to maintain these high standards were recently recognised when Changemakers Explorer One Marina Boulevard was awarded the Healthy Preschool (Platinum) Award at the Singapore HEALTH Award 2024. This validates our commitment to nurturing healthy habits from a young age.
More Than Just Lunch
Finally, we view food as an opportunity for learning. For our toddlers, mealtime is about building independence. We introduce food transition plans with manageable portions to help them practice self-feeding.
For older children, food connects them to the wider community. At our Downtown East centre, as part of our inter-generational programme, children have worked with seniors from the Residents’ Network to harvest ingredients and prepare meals together. These activities teach patience, teamwork, and respect.
Join us at our Open House on 28 Feb, 6 & 7 Mar 2026
Meet our dedicated educators who will guide your child and discover the learning environment that will inspire them. Plus, enjoy up to $5,800* worth of fee rebates, registration fee waiver, shopping vouchers and more when you enrol. Join us for a fun-filled day of new experiences!
