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Healthy Eating

Policy Aim:

To promote healthy eating in a safe, inclusive, and relaxed environment, while catering to individual dietary needs and sharing this approach with parents/carers and staff.

We offer a 4-week rotating menu with:

  • Breakfast, 2 hot meals (lunch & tea), and 2 snacks daily.
  • Menus are displayed in the entrance, on the website, and are available on request.
  • Fresh fruit and vegetables are provided daily.
  • All food is cooked on site by qualified staff (Food Hygiene Level 2), renewed every 3 years.
  • 5-star food hygiene rating.
  • We use fresh produce from reputable suppliers like Brakes.

Healthy Eating & Inclusion

  • Menus are planned with input from staff, children, and parents/carers.
  • Children’s cultural, medical, and religious dietary needs are respected.
  • No nuts or nut products are used.
  • Vegetarian and meat/fish options are provided daily.
  • Low-sugar/salt products and no artificial additives are used.
  • Parents can opt to send packed lunches when required (see Lunch Box Policy).

Mealtime Environment

  • Meals are social, calm, and promote independence.
  • Children serve themselves, pour drinks, clear plates, and practice manners.
  • Staff sit with children and model positive eating behaviours.
  • Children are never rushed and are encouraged to try new foods.
  • Water is always freely available; milk is offered daily.
  • Clean, bright eating areas with age-appropriate utensils.
  • Older children learn table-setting with personal place mats.
  • Packed Lunches (if applicable) must be healthy, balanced, and nut-free.
  • Should include: fruit/veg, protein, starchy food, dairy, and water/milk.
  • Avoid: crisps, sweets, chocolate bars, and fizzy drinks.
  • Keep items chilled using ice packs or insulated bags.

Parent Partnership & Communication

  • Dietary needs gathered during enrolment.
  • Individual diet plans are created as needed.
  • Daily food intake feedback via Famly app and verbal updates.
  • Concerns about eating habits are discussed supportively with parents/carers.

Training & Monitoring

  • Staff attend regular training on nutrition and Level 2 food safety and hygiene.
  • Healthy eating is reinforced through displays, leaflets, and parent engagement.
  • Policy is reviewed regularly and available on request.

Breastfeeding Support

  • Breastfeeding is supported and respected, recognising its health benefits.
  • Mothers have the right to clear, impartial information to make informed feeding choices.
  • Staff do not discriminate and support all feeding methods equally.

Breast Milk Procedures

  • Breast milk must be provided daily in sterilised, labelled containers.
  • Stored at the back of the fridge and discarded if unused after 1 hour once warmed.
  • Warming: Use a bottle warmer or hot water bowl. Do not microwave.
  • Staff wear gloves and aprons during preparation and feeding (recommended).
  • Feed details (amount and time) are recorded on Famly.
  • Bottles are washed (not sterilised) before returning to parents.

Formula Milk Procedures

  • Parents must provide either: Ready-made cartons (opened at nursery), or Pre-measured powder in a named airtight container with a sterilised bottle.
  • Milk is made fresh following guidelines (water cooled to 70°C before mixing).
  • Warmed to body temperature (37°C) and tested with a probe.
  • Discard any unused Prepared formula within 2 hours.
  • All feeding activities are recorded on Famly.

Sterilisation:

Bottles and teats are cleaned in warm soapy water, then soaked in a sterilising solution for 15 minutes.

Feeding & Hygiene Practices

  • Babies are always fed in a calm, supervised environment.
  • Staff feed babies individually, usually held by their key person.
  • Gloves and aprons are optional during bottle feeding to support a home-like environment.
  • Breast milk is treated as a bodily fluid – good hygiene practices are followed at all times.

Introducing Solid Foods

  • Weaning starts no earlier than 6 months.
  • Freshly prepared, salt- and sugar-free meals are made onsite following NHS guidelines.
  • We follow home feeding routines where possible and discuss weaning needs with parents/carers.
  • Staff receive training on weaning, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and fussy eating.

If parents provide food for under-1s, it must be:

  • Labelled with name, food description, and date of preparation.
  • Reheated once only to 83°C (rice products cannot be reheated).