Food & Diet

Healthy eating habits will be promoted and social skills will be developed and encouraged during refreshment and meal times.

Food offered will be properly prepared, fresh, nutritious and well-balanced:

  * Foods that contain high proportions of fat, sugar or salt will be avoided.
  * The use of foods containing additives, preservatives, food colourings and nuts will be minimised.

Food is stored safely & if parents bring food for their child they are informed of what can be stored safely

Main meals will include the following elements:

  * Protein for growth
  * Carbohydrates for energy
  * Vitamins and minerals to protect

Whole, pasteurised milk or water will be offered in preference to squash.

All dietary requirements must and will be respected, including:

  * Personal
  * Medical
  * Religious

Diets and eating practices of all cultures will be positively valued, giving children an opportunity to identify with the familiar and to learn to enjoy and respect other traditions.

Attention will be given to hygiene, storage and waste disposal. Food safety act 1990 and Food Hygiene Amendment (Regulations 1990). Advice will be sought from the Environmental Health Officer where needed.

Food is offered at 9am (toast, cereal), midday meal, (freshly cooked hot meal & pudding) an afternoon snack is offered to the children at 2pm (vegetable sticks and dips, rice crackers, fruit), and afternoon tea at 4pm, (beans on toast, sandwiches, soup with flap jacks and fruit) Drinks (whole milk, water or watered down fresh fruit juice is offered at every meal time and as & when children request it and more often during hot weather. Fresh drinking water is available to children at all times.)

Parents are asked about children's dietary requirements, preferences & food allergies and the setting will take heed of this information.

Children sit down at a table for their meals, or in a highchair if age appropriate.