Cherry Trees Nursery School

“I love cooking!” With these words 4-year-old Aryan bounced into the kitchen at Cherry Trees Nursery School for his weekly session. The course Aryan attended was one of several Cherry Trees has hosted since 2023 in partnership with Food etc, a charity that empowers people to make healthier and more cost-effective food choices by teaching them how to cook simple, nutritious meals from scratch.

Cherry Trees is located in the Cauldwell ward of Bedford – one of the most socio-economically deprived areas in the country – and serves a vibrant yet disadvantaged community.  The nursery school also celebrates its diverse population, with children representing 21 different languages. For 46%, English is an additional language. Many of these children start nursery with little or no English, presenting additional challenges for families navigating life in the UK.

In line with its commitment to supporting families beyond early education, Cherry Trees actively seeks partnerships that offer long-term benefits to its community. In this, Food etc has been a natural partner.

The cookery workshops welcome parents and children to cook together, with Food etc volunteers providing the recipes, ingredients and practical kitchen tips. The sessions purposefully create a welcoming, supportive space for families to connect away from day-to-day challenges. Going far beyond teaching recipes, they foster cooking confidence and an enjoyment of food, while building connection and healthier habits across generations, improving well-being for all involved.

Clare Oliver, Family Support Worker at Cherry Trees, observed:
“The Food etc volunteers who have been at Cherry Trees are amazing people to work with. They work so well with our families, helping, guiding and advising and giving the parents some new ideas and recipes to try out. All the families that have worked with Food etc have enjoyed the time with their children. The children get excited for Thursday, and some previous chefs have asked for more!”

Parents also expressed heartfelt appreciation for the workshops:
“My little girl absolutely loved these sessions every week! Was lovely for us all to try new healthy recipes and even had leftovers for her siblings to try… she’s always helping mummy out in the kitchen now. If we could do it all over again we would.”