Nutrition, body image and wellbeing support for schools and early childhood centres.
Practical, evidence-informed support for schools and early childhood centres wanting to create positive food environments, support body confidence and nurture children's long-term relationship with food, eating and body.
I work alongside education teams to support the whole community — tamariki, kaiako, staff and whānau.
Planting the seeds of positive nutrition, body confidence and
wellbeing
For ECE centres and schools
Evidence-informed, compassionate and practical
Tailored to your centre’s values, philosophy and needs
Collaborative support for your whole community
Professional development for Early Childhood Centres and schools
I provide practical professional development for kalako, teachers, centre leaders and cooks, tailored to the needs of your community:
Practical, evidence-informed training
Positive food environments
Mental Wellbeing and self-care
Responsive feeding and mealtimes
Body confidence and inclusion
In-service training and support
Workshops and support for caregivers and Whanau
Practical workshops help parents and whãnau build confidence around feeding, eating, body image and childrens wellbeing.
Feeding and picky eating support
Body image and wellbeing
Mindful, respectful approaches
Building happy, healthy eaters
Strengthening family mealtimes
Tailored for your family
Nutrition support and
menu development
I provide practical guidance on menus, allergies, dietary requirements, food safety and responsive feeding.
Menu reviews and development
Exceeding national guidelines
Allergies and dietary requirements
Food safety and choking guidelines
Workshops for cooks and chefs
Ongoing support for your team
Experience in early childhood education
Presenter at the Play to Heal the World Festival across two events
Presenter at the Childspace Conference
Contributor to Early Childhood Australia's professional learning series
Experience supporting ECE centres with staff training, parent workshops, menu development and positive food environment
The roots of our work in early childhood
The Food Tree was founded by Rachael Wilson and Lorren, an early childhood teacher, after they met through a mother and infant group facilitated by Penny Brownlee.
Their shared interest in respectful, relationship-centred care helped shape the values of The Food Tree from the beginning.
Through working alongside Lorren and the early childhood community, Rachael developed a strong appreciation and working understanding of early childhood pedagogy.
Her approach has been particularly influenced by the work of Penny Brownlee and Kimberly Crisp, as well as respectful, heart-centred approaches to parenting, teaching and care. Rachael has also completed extensive training in respectful and mindful parenting, mindfulness and emotional wellbeing for children.
These foundations continue to run through all of The Food Tree's work, shaping an approach that is compassionate, collaborative, practical and grounded in respect.
Trusted by education and community organisations
