Meals

Meal times provide a reason to come together, be sociable with our friends and gain important life skills. During our meal times we all sit in small groups with an adult where we are encouraged to try the days freshly cooked meals. All of our meals are designed and balanced to ensure each child has all of their nutritional needs met. 

• All meals are prepared by our own cook on the premises using ‘Government healthy eating standards’.
• Most of the ingredients are fresh and bought locally.
• The menus are rotated every 4 weeks to ensure all children regardless of the days they attend get to sample a variety of different meals.
• Our on site cook provides a range of freshly baked biscuits and cakes for the children to also enjoy as part of their daily snacks.
• The children enjoy taking part in half termly cooking activities with our cook which provides them with an awareness of healthy eating as well as a range of other life skills.

Please see our ‘Meals Times’ policy below:

• Small groups of children are asked to wash their hands at the sink and then are allocated a table to sit at.
• During meal times the children are able to mix and socialise with children from all age groups.
• Each table has an adult seated with the children throughout the meal to assist, where needed, with cutting food, encouraging them to try foods and lead conversation. Children are encouraged to be independent and are not rushed to eat their meals.
• Babies food is prepared in accordance with parent’s wishes and their stage of development e.g. liquidised, mashed etc. Babies under the age of 1 year are not given Quorn as it has a very high salt content. Also it is not recommended that under one’s have rice milk. All foods are checked for suitability.
• Everything that is needed at meal times is on trays accessible to the adult e.g. spare cutlery, cloths, drinks etc. a range of cutlery and bowls are used dependant on the child’s developmental stage.
• The cook is present to help so that the key adults can remain focused on their table, those sitting may need to get up to attend to the children they cannot reach easily.
• Children are generally expected to stay seated throughout the meal. They are encouraged to go to the toilet before the meal to minimise the need to leave the table during the meal.
• Meals are made fresh each day to meet the guidelines of the school food trust – ‘Eat better, start better’ (www.childrensfoodtrust.org.uk) This organisation states that ‘good nutrition is important if children and young people are to be happy, healthy and fulfil their potential’. The cook keeps updated through this website + other government guidance to ensure menus reflect best practice.
• Best practice is also shared with families through termly ‘healthy eating’ news letter.
• Menus are devised to ensure the children have a healthy and balanced diet with as few additives as possible e.g. if frozen fish fingers are used for tea, these are a ‘make’ containing no additives. We aim to minimise the amount of processed foods that we use eg ham and sausages and choose brands with minimal additives. No salt is added during cooking and fresh fruit and vegetables are served daily. Milk or water are offered as drinks at snack time and water at meals.
• We comply with the allergen rules that came into force in December 2014 and ensure that we identify any individuals with food intolerances (information gathered on initial information sheet provided by parents and displayed in kitchen). We also make parents aware of all the 14 main allergens in all foods served at nursery through our menu board.
• Children are offered meals from various cultures to reflect the celebrations, festivals and nationalities of the children and their parents. . Every child’s birthday is celebrated in accordance with families beliefs and wishes and families are welcome to bring a shop bought cake or special food to celebrate.
• Vegetarians and special diets are catered for and protein is provided one day a week in nonmeat form.
• Small portions which are kept separate on the plate are initially served so children are not put off trying foods. Second helpings are available for children to select themselves. Adults sitting with the children also eat with them to provide good role models.
• Puddings are given to children after their main meal e.g fresh fruit, custard, fruit crumble.
• Children who bring packed lunch sit with the other children and they are expected to bring healthy lunches (guide lines given) These are stored in the children’s own containers in the kitchen. If lunches brought in require heating a charge will be made for this (see fees).
• During introductory visits parent/ carers are consulted regarding individual diets, likes/ dislikes, level of independence regarding feeding etc.
• Breakfast is available for children on regular or occasional basis in consultation with parents. Cereals such as Weetabix and porridge and toast are offered.
• Tea times are a lighter meal such as a sandwich, beans, cheesy pasta or chicken nuggets followed by fruit, cake or milk pudding.
• Meal times are regarded as a positive relaxed time and we do like to encourage social skills such as using ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. Whilst encouragement is given to them to eat no undue pressure is used.
• Midmorning and afternoon snacks are provided . These snacks meets the food trust guidelines: ‘ to provide a mid morning break menu that is low in fat, salt and sugar and high in fibre, vitamins and minerals’.
• Children get the opportunity, on occasions, to help the cook prepare meals and take part in cooking activities appropriate to their age.
• Produce grown in the vegetable garden by the children are incorporated into the menus as appropriate.