By Nikki Bowman

At FXW, our Jaguar Cubs program continues to grow in joyful, intentional ways rooted in child development, community, and hands on learning. This winter, we are excited to introduce an engaging addition to our early childhood lineup: the Junior Chef Kitchen Residency, a playful culinary experience designed especially for our youngest learners.

Building on the foundation of our signature Jaguar Cubs sessions including Open Play, Music and Movement, Story and Circle Time, and Developmentally Themed Activities, this new residency invites children to explore food, culture, and creativity through meaningful, age appropriate cooking experiences.

What Kids Will Experience

Led by early childhood educators and culinary instructors, the Junior Chef Kitchen Residency offers:

• Hands-On Exploration: Stirring, scooping, sprinkling, spreading, and experimenting with real ingredients in a joyful, pressure free environment.
• Early Learning Through Food: Counting, matching, sequencing, descriptive language, and building confidence through guided independence.
• Sensory Discovery: Textures, colors, smells, and flavors that spark curiosity and help children engage all their senses
• A Curriculum That Builds Each Week: Each session introduces a new culinary technique or cultural connection. Children will prepare dishes inspired by global traditions, including recipes from India and China such as Roti with Dal and Stir Fried Noodles. Our progressive design ensures that skills build thoughtfully over time, supporting motor development, independence, and joyful exploration.  
• Celebrating Our Junior Chefs: The residency concludes with a special Junior Chef Celebration, where children showcase what they have learned, share their dishes, receive a certificate, and take home a collectible food themed pin.

Why This Matters at FXW

Our early childhood experiences are intentionally crafted to nurture confidence, curiosity, and community, which are the hallmarks of an FXW education. The Junior Chef Kitchen Residency enriches the Jaguar Cubs experience by offering families another meaningful way to spend time inside our school, getting a feel for our environments, educators, and approach to learning.

Whether you are a returning family or exploring FXW as you begin thinking about preschool options, we look forward to welcoming you and your child into our growing Jaguar Cubs community.

Register for Jaguar Cubs

Spots are limited to 10 families! Learn more and register here.

Register for Tiny Tastemakers Cooking Class Today

Spots are limited! Learn more and register here.

Nikki Bowman is an early childhood educator and a member of the FXW Admission Team