Nutrition and Mealtimes

At Over The Rainbow Day Care 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, snacks and drinks which meet individual needs and requirements.  

All of our meals are freshly prepared on site daily.  Our age-appropriate meals incorporate food from different cultures with different flavours.  A vegetarian option is available daily and fresh fruit or yoghurt is available as an alternative to dessert.

Children receive breakfast on arrival, followed by a mid-morning snack, a nutritional lunch, a healthy afternoon snack and a home cooked dinner/tea with dessert.

We will ensure that: 

•      A balanced and healthy breakfast, midday meal, dinner/tea and two daily snacks are provided for children attending a full day at the nursery

•      Menus are planned in advance, rotated regularly and reflect cultural diversity and variation. These are displayed for children and parents/carers to view (more details can be provided from a member of staff)

•      We provide nutritious food at all snack and meal times, using locally sourced, free range and organic produce when possible, avoiding large quantities of fat, sugar, salt and artificial additives, preservatives and colourings

•      Menus include at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables per day

•      Parents/Carers and children are as involved as possible in menu planning

•      Fresh drinking water is always available and accessible. It is frequently offered to children and babies and intake is monitored. In hot weather staff will encourage children to drink more water to keep them hydrated

•      Individual dietary requirements are respected. We gather information from parents/carers regarding their children’s dietary needs, including any special dietary requirements, preferences and food allergies that a child has and any special health requirements, before a child starts or joins the nursery. Where appropriate we will carry out a risk assessment in the case of allergies and work alongside parents/carers to put into place an individual dietary plan for their child

•      We give careful consideration into seating to avoid cross contamination of food from child to child. Where appropriate an adult will sit with children during meals to ensure safety and minimise risks. Where appropriate, age/stage discussions will also take place with all children about allergies and potential risks to make them aware of the dangers of sharing certain foods 

•      Staff show sensitivity in providing for children’s diets and allergies. They do 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 encourage children to show good table manners. Meal and snack times are organised so that they are social occasions in which children and staff participate in small groups. During meals and snack times children conversation is encouraged

•      Staff use meal and snack times to help children to develop independence through making choices, serving food and drink, feeding themselves and helping to clear up after themselves and others. Staff 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 are respected

•      Any child who shows signs of distress at being faced with a meal he/she does not like will have his/her food removed without any fuss. If a child does not finish his/her first course, he/she will still be given a helping of dessert

•      Children who are not on special diets are encouraged to eat a small piece of everything

•      Children who refuse to eat at the mealtime are offered food later in the day

•      Children are given time to eat at their own pace and not rushed

•      Quantities offered take account of the ages of the children being catered for in line with recommended portion sizes for babies and young children

•      We promote positive attitudes to healthy eating through play opportunities and discussions

•      The nursery provides parents/carers with daily written records of feeding routines for all children whilst in the Baby (Sunshine Room)

•      No child is ever left alone when eating/drinking to minimise the risk of choking

•      All staff who prepare and handle food are competent to do so and receive training in food hygiene which is updated every two years

•      In the very unlikely event of any food poisoning affecting two or more children on the premises, whether or not this may arise from food offered at the nursery,  we will inform Ofsted as soon as reasonably practical and in all cases within 14 days .  We will also inform the relevant health agencies and follow any advice given.    

•      We discourage toddlers from using bottles and provide healthy refreshments in beakers and cups. We also discourage the use of dummies, unless the child is very young or needs comforting. Speech and language therapists and dentists also promote this advice.

Key Policies are featured on our website. All other policies are available at any time from the nursery manager.

REVIEWED ON: January 2024

REVIEWED BY:  C.Cummins