Meal times should be a happy, social occasion for children and staff alike. Positive interactions should be shared at these times and enjoyed.  Ladybird Nursery is committed to offering children healthy, nutritious and balanced meals and snacks, which meet individual’s needs and requirements.

We will ensure that:

• A balanced and healthy midday meal, tea and two daily snacks are provided for children attending a full day at the nursery
• Menus will be planned in advance, rotated regularly and reflect cultural diversity and variation. These are own our website and can be given to will be parents on request
• We provide nutritious food at all snack and meal times, avoiding large quantities of fat, sugar and salt and artificial additives, preservatives and colourings
• Menus will include at least 3 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables per day
• Fresh drinking water will be constantly available and frequently offered to children and babies. Caterpillars have their own cups with their photo on and Butterflies their own individual water bottles
• Individual dietary requirements will be respected. We will gather information from parents regarding their children’s dietary needs including any allergies. Where appropriate we will carry out a risk assessment in the case of allergies and work alongside parents to put into place an individual diet plan for their child
• Staff will show sensitivity in providing for children’s diets and allergies. They would not use a child’s diet or allergy as a label for the child, or make a child feel singled out because of her/his diet or allergy
• Staff will set a good example and sit with the children and show good table manners. Meal and snack times will be organised so that they are social occasions in which children and staff participate in small groups. During meals and snack times children will be encouraged to use their manners and say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’ and conversation will be encouraged
• Staff will use meal and snack times to help promote children to develop independence through making choices, serving food and drink, and feeding themselves. Staff will support children to make healthy choices and understand the need for healthy eating
• We provide foods from the diet of each of the children’s cultural backgrounds, providing children with familiar foods and introducing them to new ones. Cultural differences in eating habits will be respected
• Any child who shows signs of distress at being faced with a meal he/she does not like will have his food removed without any fuss. If a child does not finish his first course, he/she will still be given a small helping of dessert. Children not on special diets will be encouraged to eat a small piece of everything
• Children who refuse to eat at the mealtime will be offered food later in the day
• Children who are slow eaters will be given time and not rushed
• Quantities offered will take account of the ages of the children being catered for
• We will promote positive attitudes to healthy eating through play opportunities and discussions
• Mealtimes will be used as an opportunity to encourage independence with children encouraged to serve part of their own meals, pour they own drinks, help set the tables and clear away