We regard snack and meal times to be an important part of the Preschool day. We organise meal and snack times so that they are social occasions in which children and staff participate. Please note that packed lunches must be provided by parents (please see below).
We have fresh drinking water constantly available for the children and explain to the children about how to obtain the water and that they can ask for a drink at any time during the day. For children who drink milk, we provide whole pasteurised milk and alternative milk for children with allergies. There is more information in our Health & Safety Food and Drink Policy.
Food Preparation
We prepare the food in a separate kitchen area and have clearly set out procedures in relation to food hygiene. At least one member of staff has a current Food Hygiene Certificate. Children do not have unsupervised access to the kitchen. Please see our Health & Safety Food Hygiene Policy for more detailed information.
Snacks
We provide nutritious food for snacks, avoiding large quantities of saturated fat, sugar and salt and artificial additives, preservatives and colourings. We include a variety of foods from the four main food groups: dairy foods; grains, cereals and starch vegetables; and fruit and vegetables. We ensure that children only receive food and drink as appropriate to their dietary needs and allergies.
Packed Lunches
If your child attends for a full day or an afternoon session, they must be provided with a suitable packed lunch. We ask that parents provide packed lunches that are consistent with our healthy eating policy. They should contain sandwiches with a healthy filling, fruit, and milk based deserts such as yoghurt or crème fraîche. We discourage crisps, processed foods, sweet drinks and sweet products such as cakes or biscuits. Unfortunately packed lunches cannot be refrigerated, but we make every effort to store them in a cool place.
Due to the number of nut allergies and the risk of choking we would ask that you do not include peanut butter or nuts in your child's packed lunch.
Allergies and/or Special Dietary Needs.
Before your child starts to attend the setting, we find out from parents/carers if their child has any allergies, or dietary needs and preferences, (See the Managing Children with Allergies Policy). This information is recorded and displayed so all members of our staff and volunteers are fully informed. It is important that we are kept up to date with any changes. We take care not to provide food containing nuts or nut products and are especially vigilant where we have a child who has a known allergy.
Through discussion with parents and research by staff, we also obtain information about the dietary rules of the religious groups to which children and their parents belong, about food allergies and of vegetarians/vegan diets. We take account of all of this information in the provision of food and drinks at snack times and implement systems to ensure that children receive only food and drink that is consistent with their dietary needs and preferences as well as their parents' wishes.