Meals

Mealtimes are usually a happy, social occasion for children and practitioners. Children will sit in small groups supported by an adult. They will have the opportunity to serve their own food and drink and encouraged to feed themselves (where appropriate). At mealtimes, children learn about healthy eating and explore new foods. Practitioners will support fussy eaters and encourage them to try new foods. Practitioners positively role model good sitting and table manners to the children by being part of their mealtime. Nutritious foods which meet each child’s dietary needs are provided.

A three weekly varied menu is provided by our caterers Zebedees (www.zebedees.co.uk/)

  • We avoid large amounts of fat, sugar, salt, artificial additives, preservatives and colouring.
  • We consider any religious dietary needs.
  • Children are given fresh drinking water throughout the day which they can have at any time.
  • Fruit/vegetables, water and milk are provided for snacks.
  • Milk and water are provided at breakfast times.
  • We plan for children with allergies where necessary.
  • Practitioners involved in preparing and serving food and drink have records of children’s dietary needs.
  • Practitioners preparing food hold a current food hygiene qualification.
  • The nursery kitchen is inspected by Environmental Health. We currently have a 5* rating.

Baby feeding and weaning

Breast milk is the best form of nutrition for babies. Breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life as it provides all the nutrients a baby needs.

  • We provide facilities where mothers can feed their babies or express breast milk (or both).
  • Breast milk must be provided in an adequate container labelled with the expressed on/used by dates, and your child’s name. This will be stored in the fridge until needed.
  • You must provide your own formula milk and inform the practitioners of the required amounts.
  • You must provide sterilised bottles for practitioners to make up feeds.
  • We will wash used and empty bottles but will not sterilise them before we return them to you.
  • All milk feeds will be discarded after one hour if the child has not finished.
  • Weaning will not start until babies are at least six months old; we aim for all babies to have started on solid food by the time they reach seven months.
  • Nursery practitioners will work with you to make sure that we recognise and record all allergies accurately.
  • Breast or formula milk will be the main drink for babies under one.
  • We do not reheat baby bottles in the microwave.
  • The water we give to babies under six months will be boiled and cooled first. We do not give babies bottled water as this is not recommended by the NHS.
  • We will encourage infants to drink from a cup or beaker from their six month – these cups will not have a spring or valve as these are not recommended and have been known to cause damage to new teeth.
  • We will not sterilise cups and soothers before each use.
  • We do not provide food containing gluten (such as Weetabix bread and pasta) or nuts, seeds, eggs, fish, citrus fruits and unpasteurised soft cheeses for children under six months.
  • We offer children a variety of flavours and textures, but we introduce each new food independently.
  • We will follow the manufacturer’s instructions on serving and storing any packet foods.
  • If we heat food in the microwave, we will stir it well to make sure the heat is distributed evenly and check the temperature before serving.
  • If your child requires specialist milk, this must come to nursery sealed (unopened).