Aims
The Nursery will adopt a healthy eating policy that will ensure that children are given the right balance of foods to give them all the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. It will also help them to eat healthily and can reduce the risk of serious diseases later in life. The Nursery will offer at least five portions of fruit and vegetables throughout the day and milk and water will be accessible at all times.
We aim to provide suitable food for all. Children’s nutritional and dietary requirements will always be adhered to. Our food reflects the ethnicity and cultures of all children attending the nursery. Parents are asked to provide information on their child’s needs during admission.
All food we serve is healthy, so whatever the child chooses will be nutritious. We trust children to know how much they want to eat and allow them to say ‘no’ to something they dislike. Food will not be used as a reward or punishment. Portion sizes are age appropriate.
We serve small portion sizes as it is better for children to ask for seconds than to serve them too much. This helps children to recognise when they are hungry and when they have eaten enough.
We believe that water and milk are the best drinks for children’s teeth and bodies. Therefore, we provide whole milk for children under two; we do not use skimmed milk for children under five. Drinks are offered in an open cup from six months and bottles stopped at one year. If your child is on formula milk, we ask that parents either provide ready to use formula milk, or prepare them at home. There is a supportive breastfeeding environment at Nishkam Nursery. Breastmilk is the ideal source of nutrition for infants for at least the first year of life. We have refrigerated storage space for expressed breastmilk which is clearly labelled with name and date. Mothers are welcome to breastfeed and a space will be provided for this. We can direct mothers to where they can access further breastfeeding support.
Either a meal or a snack is offered to children at least every 1½–3 hours as children have small stomachs and high nutrient needs to grow and develop, and to play and achieve. Snacks served are mini-meals, with components as healthy as mealtime choices.
Children are seated when eating meals and snacks. The Nursery will also ensure the expected standards of table manners and behaviour will be consistent. Meal time should be happy, social occasions for staff and children alike. We promote activities and non-food treats, such as craft projects, stickers and balloons, as alternatives to birthday sweets. If food is used for celebrations it forms part of a balanced meal provision and does not replace healthy foods.
Mealtimes are relaxed, calm and with shared conversation. We eat with the children at mealtimes and eat the same food. We role-model good manners and eating behaviour, direct conversation, and create a calm and relaxed eating environment. At the same time we can supervise the children eating. This is important because choking happens quietly and immediate help is vital.
Children are encouraged and helped to be successful in whatever self-feeding and self-serving they are capable of doing. Food is served in a form that young children can eat with minimum assistance and without choking; the texture changing from soft mashed food to adult texture by the age of 12 months.
Parents are given information on the meals and snacks provided.
We tell parents how well their child ate during the day and which foods they particularly enjoyed or tried. Children benefit when parents, carers and staff share information and work together.
Special occasions and birthdays are celebrated with healthy food or non-food treats. Unfortunately, we do not allow food to be brought from home.
We encourage eligible pregnant women and mothers with children under four to register with the Healthy Start scheme and access the weekly food vouchers. We will promote free Healthy Start vitamins to all pregnant or breastfeeding women and all children up to the age of four.
General Procedures
- A senior member of staff will oversee all aspects of food in the setting
- All members of staff are trained in food safety and hygiene
- Healthy eating activities for children will be included as part of the settings curriculum
- Where appropriate, healthy eating education will be offered to parents through newsletters and leaflets
- Our setting supports and encourages breastfeeding
- Our food provided will reflect the diverse community
- Food provided meets the current healthy eating guidelines, foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar will be limited
- Parents are required to inform the setting of any dietary requirements such as allergies a child may have. Individual’s dietary requirements will be respected and catered for
- Children’s choices are taken into consideration when planning menus
- The eating environment is comfortable and relaxed, giving children plenty of time to eat and socialise with staff and peers
- Tables, chairs and utensils are appropriate for the age range is each child
- Non-valved, free-flowing, beakers and whenever possible unaided cups will be used for all drinks to protect children’s teeth
- Drinking water and fresh fruit is available to children at all times
- Fresh fruit juice will be the only drink offered to children other than water and milk (1 part fruit juice to 10 parts water)
- Advice will be given to parents about providing suitable packed lunches for outings
- Food and drink will not be used as a reward or punishment
- Parents are discouraged in bringing food into the setting. Birthday cakes and treats will be given out to children at the end of the day to take home
- Staff will set a good example of good table manners
- Cultural difference in eating habits will be respected.
- Children will be encouraged to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and to sit still.
- Conversation will be encouraged but no shouting.
- Children not on special diets will be encouraged to eat a small piece of everything
- Staff will set a good example by eating the same food as the children.
- Children who are slow eaters will be given time and not rushed.
- Children will be encouraged to try new foods.
- Quantities will take account of the ages of the children
- Children will be encouraged, where reasonably possible, to wait until everyone has finished before starting on their dessert.
- Milk provided in our setting will be served in morning and afternoon snacks
- Menus will be displayed for parents to see. These will include:
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Carbohydrates and starchy foods
- Foods containing iron and protein
- Milk and dairy products
- Patents will be informed via the daily report sheets of what and how their child has eaten throughout the day
- Children will be encouraged to play outside daily so that they are exposed to sunlight giving their bodies vitamin D
Updated April 2019
