Nutrition & Wellness

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Nutrition & Wellness

Food and nutrition play an important role in a child’s physical, mental, and emotional development. Our comprehensive nutrition program is designed to provide each of our little ones with a wide variety of delicious and developmentally appropriate foods that they need to learn and grow. With a focus on fresh, all-natural ingredients, Green Garden is the only licensed center-based program in Michigan that serves 100% organic food, every day, with no exceptions.

Meal Time Safety

At Green Garden, we welcome all types of eaters. We understand that children may have unique dietary needs including food allergies, intolerances, and dietary preferences and will always work with families to accommodate and respect the individual needs of their child. With meals prepared under strict food safety guidelines, regular allergy trainings, and open communication between parents and staff, we pride ourselves on creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for each individual child, regardless of their dietary needs. 

100% Organic and Vegetarian Meals

As the only licensed center-based program in Michigan to serve an entirely organic menu, Green Garden is committed to providing the highest-quality, all-natural food to the children in our care. Our innovative and nutritionally complete vegetarian menus provide students the opportunity to enjoy meals and snacks based on whole foods and simple ingredients, without the presence of potentially harmful additives or fillers in their foods.

Seasonal Menu

Our rotating seasonal menu is frequently changing in order to incorporate the freshest, most in-season fruits and vegetables available from our local suppliers. We often utilize produce grown in our very own playground gardens, allowing our students to take part in the full cycle of food production from planting a seed, to the food on their plate.

Fresh Baby Food Daily

We pride ourselves on serving the highest quality meals and snacks to every child in our care; Our made-in-house baby food is no exception. Utilizing seasonal organic produce with no additives or preservatives, our homemade baby food is prepared fresh in our Green Garden Kitchen under the same rigorous safety and sanitation protocols that we stand by each day.

Farm to Table Initiative

At Green Garden we encourage a holistic approach to the way we view food. From regular cooking activities in our classrooms, to growing our own fruits and veggies, and engaging with our playground gardens, our students are encouraged to develop deeper connections to the natural world through food.

Sample of Our Weekly Menu

Monday

Breakfast:
Milk, Strawberries, Homemade Banana Bread Muffins
AM Snack:
Mixed Fruit, Yogurt
Lunch: Pasta Bake w/ Homemade Veggie Sauce and Mozzarella Cheese, Steamed Broccoli, Apples, Milk
PM Snack:
Oven-Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Pretzel Crisps

Tuesday

Breakfast:
Cherries, Homemade Mushroom and Spinach Frittatas, Milk
AM Snack: Homemade Dill Pickles, Pita Chips
Lunch:
Mixed Vegetable Stir-Fried Rice, Edamame Beans, Strawberries, Milk
PM Snack:
Applause Crackers, Sunflower Butter, Homemade Berry-Chia Seed Jam

Wednesday

Breakfast:
Blueberries, Homemade Potato & Vegetable Hash, Milk
AM Snack:
Pineapple Spinach Smoothie, Animal Crackers
Lunch:
Refried Bean Burritos on Whole Wheat Tortillas, Steamed Corn, Watermelon, Milk
PM Snack:
Cucumber Slices, Rice Cakes

Thursday

Breakfast:
Bananas, Homemade Blueberry Pancakes, Milk
AM Snack:
Mixed Berries, Whole Wheat Crackers
Lunch:
Homemade Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Pears, Milk
PM Snack:
Carrots, Hummus

Friday

Breakfast:
Mango Banana Smoothie
AM Snack:
Steamed Peas, Sweet Potato Crackers
Lunch:
Roasted Broccoli Cheddar Bake
PM Snack:
Tortilla Chips, Black Bean and Corn Salsa

Our Programs

Infants

The first year of life is full of special moments and milestones. Our team of Infant Teachers is here to support you as you embark on your parenting journey! Sharing photos and highlights of every day to include you in all of your child’s growth and development.

Learn More

Toddlers

When you enter a Toddler Classroom, you will see teachers ready to listen, learn and play. We listen to your child’s interest to create a classroom environment that cultivates creativity and provides a safe place to express themselves and explore their world.

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Preschool & Pre-K

Preschool at Green Garden looks like play but there’s so much more. Our classrooms are led by the children and supported intentionally for them. We incorporate the outdoors any chance we get and ensure our teachers serve as leaders of learning.

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What Parents Are Saying

My two kids have been a part of the Green Garden family for a few years now. This place is not a day care, it is more of a learning facility. Green Garden and the teachers provide a great and loving environment with lots of activities. My kids love going to school and they love the teachers. I also like the fact that the food that is provided is organic. That is important in today’s society, especially because of the use of pesticides. I also like the owner of Green Garden. I see her all the time. She is involved in the daily activities and she provides good benefits for the teachers. Better benefits for the teachers should mean more talented teachers. Overall, this is a great place and one of the better decisions my wife and I made for our children.

Doug W.

As a new mom trying to navigate Covid, I was extra cautious when it came to selecting a facility that would make us feel safe but that also felt like home. We found that in Green Garden – the staff is wonderful and engaged, communicative and kind and our son has a blast every single time he goes to school. We recently moved into the older toddler program and our only regret was having to say goodbye to Miss Nekeshia. Thank you so much to everyone at GG!

Marney B.

Dropping your infant or child off at daycare for the first time is such an emotional event. The staff at Green Garden really help to make this transition more comfortable. The teachers here are so kind and you can easily tell that they are passionate about their jobs. Both my children are excited every morning to go in. It makes those drops offs so much easier when your little one has a smile on their face and talks about their teachers at home. Additionally as a plant based family we have greatly appreciated their organic, vegetarian menu. They are also very welcoming and supportive of LGBTQ families. A truly warm, enclosing and welcoming environment.

Aleigha P.

All three of my children attended Green Garden and we couldn’t be happier with our experience there. We transferred from another local day care facility when my oldest was 2 years old, before the other kiddos were born, and it was the best decision we ever made. Green Garden staff are caring and knowledgeable. Everyone at Green Garden was attentive to our children’s medical needs, and the directors have always been quick to respond to questions, concerns and last minute schedule changes. I am impressed with how little staff turnover they have, which is unusual in the child care industry. The teachers truly became an extended family to us, and I will miss them as my youngest heads off to kindergarten. My favorite part of our experience at Green Garden has been the unique classroom setting, coupled with lots of nature and outside time! I also loved the sense of community, with “after-hours” family activities that helped build relationships with other Green Garden families. Our children learned so much and made lifelong friendships. I cannot say enough good things about Green Garden!

Christina C.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the best child care center I’ve ever encountered. They actually do put children first, they don’t just talk about it (as so many centers do as they become overly concerned with numbers and finances). It’s incredible to watch them grow – both physically and in mission to children and families – and to contribute so strongly and positively into their community. Highest recommendation possible.

Jenny P.

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