Why Families Love Our Home Cooked Meals at Cornerstone East Memphis

Quick Answer
At Cornerstone East Memphis, children enjoy healthy, freshly cooked meals prepared in-house every day. Mealtime isn’t just about food — it’s a chance for children to build independence, practice gratitude, and share in community. Families appreciate knowing their child is nourished and learning habits that last well beyond the classroom.
What Makes Our Meals Different?
Many childcare centers rely on prepackaged or catered food. At Cornerstone, we believe children deserve better. That’s why our meals are prepared fresh in our own kitchen each day. From cheesy ravioli with peas and bananas to BBQ chicken with baked beans and rolls, our menus are designed to be both nutritious and kid-friendly.
Parents can even preview what’s on the table this week by checking our Cornerstone East Memphis menu.
Why does school meal quality matter so much?
Eating well at school has a substantial impact on both long-term health and academic outcomes, according to organizations like the CDC and USDA. Research shows that healthier school meals significantly improve the quality of children’s diets — helping them eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and milk while reducing sugary foods and sodium (USDA: Healthier Foods, Healthier Minds).
For young children, this matters every single day. Nutritious meals fuel their ability to focus during circle time, give them steady energy for play, and support healthy growth. Over time, these daily habits shape how children view food and how confidently they make choices for themselves.
At Cornerstone East Memphis, we keep this research in mind when planning our menus. By preparing fresh meals in-house, we make sure children experience the benefits of balanced nutrition in a setting where gratitude, independence, and community are part of the routine.
How Mealtime Supports Early Learning
At Cornerstone, we see every meal as a chance to grow.
- Independence: We love watching children pour their own water or scoop their own servings — those little moments of “I can do it!” are huge for confidence.
- Gratitude: Before eating, we pause together. Saying “thank you” for our food and for one another is a habit that grows into a lifelong value.
- Friendship: Sitting side by side gives children space to talk, laugh, and connect. The table becomes one more place where community is built.
- Responsibility: From helping set the table to cleaning up after, children learn that being part of a group means contributing in ways that matter.
We get excited about these everyday moments because they help children practice skills that go far beyond mealtime.
Why It Matters for Families
When you choose Cornerstone, you’re joining a community that celebrates growth in every corner of the day — even at the lunch table. Parents tell us their children bring these habits home: pouring their own milk, remembering to say “thank you,” or proudly sharing that they tried something new.
We’d be so happy to show you what this looks like in action. Schedule a tour at Cornerstone East Memphis and see how our classrooms, teachers, and even our kitchen come together to help children thrive.