James Sedgwick, a professional chef, and his wife Maria, who has worked as a nurse and is now studying for a diploma in childcare and education, converted their restaurant Meat and Two Veg into Crosby Nursery after severe floods hit their town of Carlisle in 2005.
'We looked into the possibilities and realised there was a lack of childcare in the area and all the local nurseries had waiting lists,' said Mr Sedgwick.
Mrs Sedgwick said, 'The nursery idea appealed to me because it meant I could work with children again.'
Many parents who use the nursery had been customers at the Sedgwicks'
restaurant.
A glowing Ofsted report was the inspiration for the nursery takeaway service, which starts this week.
Mr Sedgwick said, 'When we got an outstanding Ofsted report for the health and well-being of the children, the inspectors were impressed by the menu.
Parents saw it too and asked, "Why don't you make that for us?"'
He added, 'Seeing Jamie Oliver's school meals campaign planted a seed in my brain. I think that healthy cooking for children should start earlier than at schools - it should start at nurseries.'
The charge for a meal is 5 per person and dishes will include lasagne and shepherd's pie.
