Statement of intent

Snack and meal times are an important part of the session. Eating represents a social time for children and adults and helps children to learn about healthy eating.

Aim

At snack time, we aim to provide nutritious food, which meets the children’s individual dietary needs.

Food

The standard mid-session snack normally consists of wholemeal bread with margarine, and fruit. Milk or water is offered to drink.

Birthdays are celebrated with a plain sponge cake (made by the children).

On occasions other foods are offered to enrich the learning experiences of the children (e.g. traditional food from other countries).

 

Young children can often have strong preferences for one type of food or another, and may show signs of allergy towards certain foods. It is important that parents make the nursery aware of any special needs in this area.

 

To ensure that food meets the requirements of the maximum number of children and that it is of the highest quality the following procedures will be followed:

 

  • All food will be checked at the time of use to ensure that it is not past its use by date.
  • No food with nuts as a listed ingredient will be used.  Both  staff and parents are requested not to bring food containing nuts into the setting.

 

Any other specific dietary requirements are a matter for agreement between the nursery and the parents.

 

When cooking with the children as an activity, the adults will try to provide healthy wholesome food, promoting and extending the children’s understanding of a healthy diet.

 

If parents take up the offer of a lunch time care session they are asked to provide the meal in a cool bag or box with chill packs as there is not sufficient storage for lunches in the fridge.  Staff sitting with the children at this time monitor to ensure food is not exchanged by children, and parents are informed of any problems on collection of the child.

 

Drink

Parents are asked to send a bottle of water to nursery each day with their children to encourage healthy consumption of water.  These are available throughout the day.

 

Children are made aware that water is available at all times and that they may help themselves or ask for water when they require it.  Children will be assisted in obtaining a drink of water should they need help.  Suitable containers are provided for children to drink water from if necessary.

 

The nursery is aware of reports that some children behave in an increasingly hyperactive manner after drinking orange juice and other similar products which contain artificial additives designated by E numbers.   The nursery therefore only offers water and milk to children throughout the day.

 

Parents are made aware of this policy when first applying for a child to come to the nursery.