Val Robinson Childcare Services Limited places the highest priority on providing a healthy food environment for our children.

Good nutrition in the early years is so important and can positively influence a child’s:

  • Concentration
  • Physical development
  • Learning outcomes
  • Behaviour
  • Cognitive development
  • Long term future health

Encouraging children to eat well and learn about food in the early years not only protects their health when they are young, but also sets the foundations for their future health and well-being (Children’s Trust 2015)

My staff and I have undertaken training on Providing a Healthy Food Environment in Early Years Settings.  Following this I have reviewed current practice researched food and drinks and set new guidelines for Snacks and Packed lunches at our Preschools

If your child has any special dietary requirements, please speak to the Preschool Mangers or your Keyworker. 

 

New Guidance for Healthy Snacks and Lunches

Mid- morning Snack-time

-This should consist of 1 portion of Fruit or Vegetables or 1 portion of Dairy

Suggestions are:

Vegetables Fruit Dairy
Vegetable sticks, Cucumber/Celery/Pepper/

Carrots

 1        Banana

kiwi

3-10 grapes cut lengthways

Strawberries/satsuma/apple/pear

 Yogurt 125gm or 2 mini pots

Cheese
1 slice melon Cheese and breadsticks/crackers
2-4 tbs  canned fruit in juice Babybel cheese/ cheese triangles

Please do not include Raisins, Fruit winders, Fruit Flakes, Cheese snacks with crisps

We will supply a carton 1/3 pink of semi skimmed milk

 

Packed lunch

This should consist of 1 or 2 portions of starchy food, 1 portion of protein, 1 portion of Vegetables, 1 portion of Fruit, 1 portion of Dairy.

Suggestions are:

Starchy Food

1 or 2 portions

 Protein

1 portion

 Vegetables

1 portion

 Fruit

1 portion

 Dairy

1 portion
½ to 1 slice wholemeal or white bread

 

1-3 breadsticks/Crackers

 2 slices chicken/turkey

1 slice beef

1 slice Ham

 Vegetable sticks

Cucumber, celery, peppers, carrots

 Apple

Banana

3-10 grapes cut lengthways

½ to 1 kiwi/plum

 Yogurt 125 gm or 2 mini pots

Custard pot

Rice pot

Fromage frais
Small bagel, roll, pitta bread, wrap Tuna

Salmon/Mackerel

 

 Salad – 2 lettuce leaves with 4 cherry/small tomatoes sliced lengthways 2-4 tablespoons canned fruit in juice Cheese cubes

 

4 tablespoons grated cheese

 
2-5 tablespoons Pasta, Rice, Noodles 1 boiled egg   100% fruit Smoothie

 

 Babybel, cheese triangle

 

Foods high in fats, sugar and salt

These foods are not needed in the diet and so, if included should only be in small amounts and infrequently. Children should avoid filling up with these instead of eating more nutritious foods from other food groups.

·        If you include crisps we recommend that you go for varieties with less fat and salt.  (The recommendation is that crisps should only be included in packed lunches once a week)

·        A small plain cake or biscuit can be included but we recommend that these are not chocolate covered or iced varieties.

 

 

Please note:

  • Please be aware of portion sizes. A child’s stomach is much smaller than an adult and as a guide one portion should fit into a child’s hand. For further guidance please speak to a member of staff.

What is not allowed?

  • No sweets/chocolate are allowed. (These include split yogurt pots with sweets.)
  • Do not send in Hot or Warm food as bacteria grows on warm food. Pre-cooked food must be cooled in a refrigerator at home before adding it to your child’s lunch box.

Nut allergies – To safeguard children with Nut allergies please do not include Nuts, Nutella or chocolate spread, Peanut butter or nut products in lunches.

All lunch boxes must include a Cool bloc as we do not have refrigeration facilities for packed lunches. 

 

Drinks:   We will supply all drinks, please do not send in drinks.

Milk and Water will be offered throughout the day. If you do not wish your child to drink tap water please provide plain bottled water. We do not allow flavoured water as it contains artificial sweetener and preservatives.

 At lunchtime children will have a choice of water or a pure fruit juice (not from concentrate) with the lunch time meal. 

 

*Sugary drinks should be limited to mealtimes rather than giving them as snacks in between meals. Diluting squash well with water will make it less sugary.  Fruit juice contains valuable vitamins and minerals. Government advice is to limit fruit juice and smoothies to a total of 150ml a day  (1portion) .

150ml of unsweetened, fresh 100% fruit juice

or smoothie can count as 1 of your 5 daily portions of fruit and vegetables. (NHS.UK)