We cater for SPECIALIST dietary requirements and allergies – just let us know and we will make sure we can meet your needs. 

Our main meals are freshly prepared every day. Children have different nutritional needs to adults and as their bodies develop, these needs change. It is extremely important that the diets of young children are planned to be age appropriate to ensure they have the fuel to reach their potential.

Having a tasty, varied and nutritional diet from the outset helps develop a child’s palate, creating healthy habits that will last a life time. This is why we ensure food and nutrition form a key part of our curriculum.

Because we cater specifically for young children our meals are specially planned to be age appropriate. Menus for different age groups are designed to ensure all children have the right energy and nutrients to support their growth, development and learning. We use specialist chopping equipment to ensure that fruit and vegetables are cut into certain shapes to reduce the risk of choking.

All of the meals are prepared from the best locally sourced ingredients.

All of our menus are shared with parents.

FAQ’s

What do mealtimes look like ?

We regard snack and mealtimes as an important part of our day. We provide a ‘family style’ experience. Eating represents a social time for children and adults and helps children to learn about healthy eating. At snack times and mealtimes, we aim to provide nutritious food, which meets the children's individual dietary needs.

We provide 3 meals and two snacks a day. Plus children have access to a self serve fruit basket throughout the day.

·         Breakfast

·         Mid-morning snack

·         Lunch

·         Mid afternoon snack

·         Tea

Children will be offered water to drink at meal times, they also have the opportunity to self serve water whenever they are thirsty. The Teachers will monitor how often children are drinking and if necessary prompt children to get themselves a drink especially when the weather is warm. Milk is also available during snack times.

How will you cater for my childs dietary needs or allergies?

Before your child starts with us we will ask you about their child’s routines, likes and dislikes at home along with any information about specific dietary request and allergies. If we have any difficulty catering for your child we will discuss this with you so that a plan can be put in place before they start at the nursery. Our meals are prepared fresh every day.

Sometimes our teas are planned and made by the children to support their learning about healthy eating, independence, and self-help skills. So, for example we might be making our own sandwiches, pizza or soup.

We share with you the menus each week and these are also available online. They also provide recipes for parents on their website if you want to replicate any of the food at home. The common allergens will be displayed on these menus.

We have well embedded processes for managing allergies and this can be explained to you when you start at nursery. We also have two policies which you may find helpful to read

What happens if my child doesn’t eat?

We will never force children to eat, we will encourage them and help them. If your child is not eating because they are feeling unwell, we will contact you and ask if you can collect them early and we will offer them plenty of fluids and smaller snacks until they go home. A busy nursery environment when you are feeling poorly can be very difficult. If your child is not unwell, but they don’t seem to like the food offered to them we will, if necessary, offer them an alternative. This may be a sandwich or a more substantial snack rather than a separate cooked meal. We will share with you on your online learning journey what they have eaten, and if it is becoming a regular concern, we can have a meeting with you to look at your child’s diet, appetite, our menus and develop a plan of how to support them.

Please note we do not withhold food, for example not allowing a pudding if the first course has not been finished or stopping children from having a second helping. We avoid making mealtimes stressful or a battle ground. If there are any concerns about a child’s weight, health, or nutrition we will talk this through with you and if necessary, we can signpost you to some professional help and advice.

YOU CAN VIEW OUR FOOD AND MEALTIME POLICIES ON OUR POLICIES PAGE, OR FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US WITH ANY QUERIES