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)

FOOD & NUTRITION POLCY

At Val Robinson Childcare Services Ltd, we are committed to supporting children’s health and well-being by promoting a positive, safe, and consistent approach to food and nutrition.

This Policy sets out our approach to;

• Meals and Snacks

• Packed Lunches

• Birthdays and Celebrations

• Food Safety, allergies and cultural/religious needs.

PRINCIPLES

All children are entitled to a healthy, balanced diet that supports growth, development, and learning.

Mealtimes are social, relaxed, and inclusive.

Food is never used as a reward or punishment.

Staff act as positive role models by modelling healthy choices.

We ask Parent/Carers to provide healthy snacks such as Fruit, vegetables, Dairy such as Yogurts, Cheese.

Drinks are limited to plain water or milk-no squash, juice or fizzy drinks.

We encourage children to try new foods but never pressure them to eat.

PACKED LUNCHES AND SNACKS – to be provided by Parent/Carers

• Parents are given Healthy Food guidance when joining the setting and we follow the main advice on dietary guidelines and the legal requirements for identifying food allergens. We provide guidance to parents on Healthy eating based on the four food groups:

– meat, fish, and protein alternatives

– milk and dairy products

– cereals and grains

– fresh fruit and vegetables.

– Dairy or alternatives (yogurt, cheese slices, milk fortified alternatives

Food Preparation to prevent choking. Parents must avoid including

• Whole grapes,

• cherry tomatoes,

• cheese cubes,

• popcorn,

• whole nuts,

• meat on the bone

• sausages (whole)

* Whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, cheese cubes, popcorn, whole nuts, meat on the bone and sausages are a choking hazard. Please ensure you cut grapes and tomatoes into small pieces.

We ask families to avoid :

Sweets, chocolate bars, cakes, sugary yogurts, biscuits, Fizzy or sweetened drinks.

We are a NUT FREE setting, please do not include any food that includes NUTS in lunch boxes including Chocolate Spread, Peanut better under any circumstances

Parents must ensure lunch boxes are washed daily and include a coolbloc to ensure food safety and hygiene.

We advise parents not to include hot food and we do not re-heat food.

CHOKING HAZARDS

• We ensure that children are supervised at mealtimes and that children are within sight and hearing of a member of staff at all times and where possible staff are sat facing children when eating to ensure they are eating in a way that prevents choking and so they can prevent food sharing and be aware of any unexpected allergic reaction.

• If a child chokes at mealtime and intervention is given. We record details of the incident and ensure that parents/carers are informed

If a child’s lunch regularly includes unsuitable items, staff will speak with parents privately, never in front of the child.

BIRTHDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

We celebrate Birthdays in fun, inclusive ways (cards, singing, games). To support healthy eating, we ask families not to send in cakes and sweets or party bags.

Families are welcome to contribute non-food items, stickers, a book for the class or bubbles.

Cultural religious food traditions will be respected and included where safe and appropriate.

ALLERGIES AND SPECIAL DIETS

Parents must inform us of all allergies, intolerances and dietary needs.

All allergy information is recorded on enrolment and shared with staff on an ongoing basis, Allergy information is clearly displayed in the setting.

We take strict care to avoid cross contamination . Staff are trained in allergy awareness and emergency procedures e.g. use of Epipen).

• Val Robinson Childcare ensures that all staff are aware of the symptoms and treatments for allergies and anaphylaxis and the differences between allergies and intolerances which may develop at any time.

• Foods provided by the setting for children have any allergenic ingredients identified.

• Care is taken to ensure that children with food allergies and intolerances do not have contact with food products that they are allergic to.

• We notify Ofsted or the childminder agency (CMA if registered with a CMA) of any food poisoning affecting two or more children in our care as soon as possible and at least within 14 days.

• Risk assessments are conducted for each individual child who has a food allergy or specific dietary requirement.

SAFEGUARDING AND EQUALITY

All children have the right to safe, appropriate food that respects their health, culture and family preferences. We do not allow food-based teasing or comparisons between lunchboxes.

Staff never comment negatively on a child’s food in front of them.

MONITORING AND REVIEW

This policy will be reviewed annually with input from staff and parents.

We will update it in line with EYFS guidance and public health recommendations.

Together, we will create a positive food culture, supporting children to develop healthy eating habits for life.

This Policy was adopted by Val Robinson Childcare Services Limited on 4th September 2025

Signed: Role: Director/ Registered Person with OFSTED

Date: 4th September 2025

Reviewed by Manager_____________________________ Date:

Name:____________________________________________