Nutrition Policy
At Sandcastles nursery, we believe that mealtimes should be happy, social occasions for children and staff alike. We promote shared, enjoyable, positive interactions at these times.
We are committed to offering children healthy, nutritious and balanced meals and snacks which meet individual needs and requirements.
We ensure that:
- A balanced and healthy breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch and afternoon tea are provided for children attending a full day at nursery.
- Menus are planned and are displayed in reception. We provide a winter and a summer menu which both rotate fortnightly. When planning the menu feedback is gained from staff, children and parents.
- All allergens are displayed on the menu, and we aim to be a nut free environment carefully checking all packaging before food is brought into the setting.
- We adhere to the British Nutrition Foundations guidelines of providing 5 starchy foods, 5 fruit and vegetables, 3 dairy foods and 2 protein foods every day.
- We provide nutritious food avoiding large quantities of fat, salt, sugar and artificial additives, preservatives, and colourings.
- Cakes and biscuits, if served, will be as part of a meal and not as a snack.
- Meals are prepared and cooked on site using, wherever possible, fresh ingredients.
- Our menus are planned to include a wide range of ingredients with limited red meat dishes.
- At mealtimes milk, water and juice (diluted 1 part juice 10 parts water) are provided as drinks to promote oral health. Fresh drinking water is always accessible. It is frequently offered to children and babies and intake is monitored. In hot weather staff will encourage children to drink more water to keep them hydrated.
- Fresh fruit is available throughout the day.
- We celebrate religious festivals and significant days from different cultures introducing children to new foods and dishes. Food prepared will form part or all of a meal rather than a snack.
- For special occasions such as birthdays, if requested, our cook will provide birthday cup-cakes to be taken home by those attending the party. We do not allow cakes or sweets to be brought onto the premises.
- Children will be given the opportunity to make and cook different foods. Anything sweet will be taken home or eaten as dessert.
- Individual dietary needs are respected. On registration and on an ongoing basis, we gather information from parents/carers regarding their child’s dietary needs. Where appropriate, we will carry out a risk assessment in the case of allergies and work alongside parents to put into place an individual dietary plan for their child.
- Seating plans at mealtimes are given careful consideration to avoid cross contamination of food from child to child. Children have name cards with photos which are colour coordinated to show what they can and can’t eat. These are placed on the table for mealtimes along with a red place mat to reinforce that they have an allergy.
- Where appropriate, age/stage discussions will take place with all children about allergies and potential risks to make them aware of the dangers of sharing certain foods.
- Each room and the kitchen have a list of children with allergies printed and displayed.
- Meal and snack times are organised so that they are social occasions in which children and staff participate in small groups. During meal and snack times children are encouraged to use their manners and say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and conversation is supported.
- Staff use meal and snack times to help children to develop independence through making choices, serving food and drink and feeding themselves.
- Meal and snack times are used as an opportunity to educate children on the food they are eating and healthy food choices. We promote positive attitudes to healthy eating through play opportunities and discussions.
- All children are encouraged to eat their meals however any child who does not want to has the food removed without any fuss and is offered bread and butter as an alternative.
- Children are given time to eat at their own pace and are not rushed.
- No child is ever left alone when eating/drinking to minimise the risk of choking
- Quantities offered take account of the ages of the children and in line with the recommended portion sizes from the British Nutrition Foundation for babies and young children
- Through FAMLY parents/carers of babies in the Starfish room are provided with daily written records of feeding routines for their child.
- All staff who prepare and cook food are competent to do so and receive training in food hygiene which is updated every three years.
- In the very unlikely event of any food poisoning affecting two or more children on the premises, whether or not, this may arise from food offered at the nursery, we will inform Ofsted as soon as reasonably practical and in all cases within 14 days. We will also inform the relevant health agencies and follow any advice given.
Support information
https://www.nutrition.org.uk/life-stages/toddlers-and-pre-school/5532-portion-sizes/