Article by Monica Shah

Nurturing healthy habits from the very first bite 

At Children First, Monica Shah Zeeman brings child-centered nutrition to schools in Zürich. Our founder shares how nutrition and learning come together at lunchtimes and teatimes for the bilingual nursery and primary school children at Children First.

With over two decades of experience in day school education and care, Monica believes that the way children are introduced to food — from their first puree to daily school lunches — shapes their eating habits for a lifetime. “We believe what you give children up to the age of 5 will determine their health from the age of 50.”

 

Homemade meals designed for each child

At Children First, food is not just fuel — it’s part of a child’s development and wellbeing for life. From the very beginning, every baby in our nursery receives homemade purée, prepared by our team. “We have a wonderful tradition of serving fresh food,” says Monica. “And the children’s meals are thoughtfully prepared so at every age they have a day full of balance and goodness.”

These early experiences mean that from babies weaning to students in our primary school, every child develops positive associations with food. Parents often notice the difference. As Roxana Zürcher, mother of two and former CFA President, said, “You gave my children a lifelong love of fruit and vegetables!”.

 

Natural, nutritious, and tailored meals

Every menu at Children First is carefully designed by a nutritionist. Meals are tailored to each age group’s needs, supporting their growth and digestion.

Our nutritional concept includes:

• No added sugar or allergenic preservatives
• Primarily plant-based balanced meals with sufficient protein every day
• Seasonal and culturally diverse menus with new recipes on festive occasions

 

“When we adapt our menus for children with allergies or special diets,” Monica says, “we make sure everyone eats together. It teaches empathy, flexibility, and open-mindedness.” The professionally trained staff ensure everything we serve to an individual child is allergen-free.

Wholesome eating habits start with mindful choices. That’s why Children First maintains a no-added-sugar policy, using only the natural sweetness of fruits and vegetables. “We respect the natural sugars in food,” Monica explains. “And when families cook with us — whether for birthdays or community events — we ask them to avoid sugar, but to bring a list of ingredients for everyone anyway.” This shared commitment to real food has become one of the pillars of the Children First day school concept.

Morning breaktime: sharing and community learning

At morning snacks we encourage children to bring a piece of fruit from home to share with their friends. This fosters a sense of community, while also providing opportunities to cooperate, practise fine motor skills such as washing, cutting, and preparing fruit. Inspired by the Montessori practical life curriculum, snack time combines healthy eating with learning and social engagement.

Nurturing skills and cultural curiosity through food

Children First celebrates Switzerland’s international environment by sharing recipes from many cultures and also at our food-related community events. From local traditions like Swiss Räbeliechtli to seasonal international festivals, children are exposed to a wide range of flavours, promoting openness and curiosity. 

Fostering social and fine motor skills is also on the daily menu! Lunchtime is about more than food; it is a communal and educational experience. Children of different ages sit together at tables suited to their size, learning manners, gratitude, and respect. Each mealtime incorporates hand-eye coordination exercises, from setting the table to serving food. Children learn to enjoy the eating experience while developing social and practical skills that will benefit them throughout life.

How we build lifelong healthy habits

We focus on:

• • Developing a love for both food and the mealtime experience
  • Encouraging openness to new flavors and textures
  • Sharing stories about eating their favourite foods from other cultures

 

In our community, children not only enjoy fresh, nourishing meals but also learn to appreciate diverse foods and explore new flavours from other countries. This holistic approach supports their physical health and also prepares children to thrive as citizens of the world.

Discover more about our nutritional philosophy and Montessori-inspired education at www.childrenfirst.ch and on Instagram and Facebook.