Snack Time

During the morning session, we all come together for snack time.

  • Children wash their hands and sit at the table with their peers.
  • We provide milk, (whole milk for under 2's and semi-skimmed for over 2's) and water in jugs so the children can gain independence by pouring their own drinks.
  • The children use tongs to put food to their own plate.
  • All allergies and food intolerances are clearly displayed and staff are alleregy awareness trained.
  • All dietary needs are catered for whether medical, cultural or personal choice.
  • We have a new 2 week snack menu each term.
  • Children that stay after 3:30pm each day, will be offered an afternoon snack also.

We encourage the children

  • to eat healthily
  • to have good manners
  • to share this social event with friends

Snack is charged as additional extra, £1 per day.  You can opt out of this charge, at time of registering your child.

Cooking and food activities

We like to cook with the children at least once every two weeks.  They may get to eat it as an additional snack, or bring the item home depending on when it's made.

We may use food items for activities from time to time.  A risk assessment is always carried out including checking for food allergies and intolerances.

 

Lunch Time

We all sit together for lunch at 12pm.

  • Children wash their hands before eating
  • Lunch is a social time, practitioners sit with the children while they eat
  • We have low chairs with 3 point harness for our younger children
  • All children with allergies and food intolerances are monitored
  • All staff have paediatric first aid
  • Children only eat food from their own lunchbox and drink from their water bottle
  • Independence is encouraged
  • Children are encouraged to remain seated at the table until their peers have finished.
  • We have a quiet time after lunch - meditation music, books and puzzles.  Some children choose nap after lunch

Things to remember:

  • Please include an ice pack as we cannot refrigerate lunch boxes
  • We do not heat any food
  • For our younger children, please cater to your child's current stage of weaning
  • Please cut grapes, sausages and any other foods, in half, lengthways, to avoid choking

Guidelines for a healthy lunch box

Please consider the following guidelines when packing your child’s lunchbox.

Lunchbox ideas and recipes – Healthier Families - NHS

A lunch box provides a valuable contribution towards a child’s nutritional requirements for a day; therefore they need to be both healthy and appetising.

Variety is the key to a healthier lunch box

A healthy lunch box should contain:

  • A Good portion of starchy food, for example wholemeal roll or bread, pitta, pasta or rice salad
  • Plenty of fruit and vegetables, for example an apple, satsuma, cherry tomatoes, cucumber or carrot sticks, raisins
  • A portion of dairy food, for example cheese or yoghurt

Please DO NOT include:

  • Foods high in fat, salt and sugar
  • Sweets, lollies or chocolate bars
  • Fizzy drinks
  • Popcorn or marshmallows
  • Any nuts or nut products