Food at Greenway Nursery
At GNRC 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. All nursery children who attend our linking Lunch Session (12:00 – 12:30) bring a packed lunch to eat at this time.
Please see our Nutrition and Mealtimes policy https://www.greenwaynurseryandrainbowclub.com/uploads/3/1/0/4/31044907/policies___procedures_-_horsham_23.pdf (Page 223)
Please see our food page for details of foods which we provide in Wrap-Around Care and for our nursery fruit snacks, including allergen information. https://www.greenwaynurseryandrainbowclub.com/food-menu-all-settings.html
In line with EYFS requirements, we only allow water or milk for Early Years children to drink. Please do not put squash or juice in the children’s water bottles as we are required to replace this with water.
We manage children’s dietary requirements such as allergies and intolerances using a central register system, updated every half term. We collect this information as part of the application process and actively check that this information is correct at least once each year. Please ensure you inform the admin team of any changes to your child’s dietary needs.
When packing a lunch box for your child, please ensure it is balanced, nutritious and safe. Small items such as cherry tomatoes or grapes MUST be cut in half to reduce the risk of choking. Please avoid including items which are high in sugar (such as chocolate covered biscuits and iced cakes) or fat (such as chicken nuggets and pork pies). Please talk to your child’s key worker about what is working well in their lunch box and what changes might be beneficial.
Please see our Nutrition and Mealtimes policy https://www.greenwaynurseryandrainbowclub.com/uploads/3/1/0/4/31044907/policies___procedures_-_horsham_23.pdf (Page 223)
Please see our food page for details of foods which we provide in Wrap-Around Care and for our nursery fruit snacks, including allergen information. https://www.greenwaynurseryandrainbowclub.com/food-menu-all-settings.html
In line with EYFS requirements, we only allow water or milk for Early Years children to drink. Please do not put squash or juice in the children’s water bottles as we are required to replace this with water.
We manage children’s dietary requirements such as allergies and intolerances using a central register system, updated every half term. We collect this information as part of the application process and actively check that this information is correct at least once each year. Please ensure you inform the admin team of any changes to your child’s dietary needs.
When packing a lunch box for your child, please ensure it is balanced, nutritious and safe. Small items such as cherry tomatoes or grapes MUST be cut in half to reduce the risk of choking. Please avoid including items which are high in sugar (such as chocolate covered biscuits and iced cakes) or fat (such as chicken nuggets and pork pies). Please talk to your child’s key worker about what is working well in their lunch box and what changes might be beneficial.
The NHS have a fantastic website for healthy lunch boxes, including a wide range of healthy lunchbox recipes that are affordable and delicious.
https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes/
Here are some top tips for creating a healthy lunch box from Early Start:
https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes/
Here are some top tips for creating a healthy lunch box from Early Start:
- Make sandwiches into exciting shapes. Try using a biscuit cutter to create stars, hearts, animals etc.
- Put wraps or pitta bread and pots of fillings in your child’s lunchbox as making them up themselves will be more exciting.
- Offer sliced up vegetables as they can be a fun dipping food. Try hummus or cream cheese for dipping. The more colourful the better!
- Add bite- sized fruit as this will be easier for them to eat. Try sliced grapes (cut length ways), melon, halved strawberries, sliced banana and apple. Check out our blog on preparing foods safely to reduce the risk of choking here! (opens in new tab)
- Tip: add a little squeeze of lemon juice to stop sliced fruit from going brown!
- If your child likes crisps, try swapping them for other crunchy textured foods, such as crackers or rice cakes.
- Instead of including foods, such as biscuits, cereal bars, cakes and chocolate, swap for healthy alternatives, such as homemade fresh fruit scones, malt loaf, fruit teacakes or fruit breads.
- Get your little one involved in choosing and preparing what goes into their lunch box as this can mean they are more likely to eat it.
- To keep lunches cool, include an ice pack or add a frozen drink or yoghurt.
- When you can, try to make meals from scratch instead of buying ready-made items which can be high in sugar and salt. Try making bigger quantities of dishes that you cook and keep some for packed lunches.
Miss Dell's Healthy Living Tracker
Miss Dell has created a Healthy Living Tracker which she uses in the setting and shares with parents to help foster a healthy lifestyle. Please feel free to download and print your own copy and bring it in to share with your key worker or Miss Dell (or both, for extra stickers!).
| healthy_living_tracker.pdf |
