We believe that healthy, fresh, exciting and nourishing food is an important part of children’s health, wellbeing and development. We are committed to providing children with nutritious, balanced and varied meals and snacks that support their individual needs and help them develop positive attitudes towards food from an early age.

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Fresh, Healthy and Nutritious Food

All our meals are prepared and cooked from scratch on site by our in-house chef.  We aim to provide fresh, nutritious food at all meal and snack times, while limiting foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt. We do not use artificial additives, preservatives or colourings.  We are proud to use high-quality ingredients, including organic beef, lamb and pork from Riverford Farm, as well as organic milk and eggs.

 

Each room has its own bread machine, enabling staff to bake fresh bread each day. This helps us to avoid highly processed carbohydrates while providing children with the experience and enjoyment of freshly prepared food. The wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread also creates a warm and welcoming environment throughout the nursery.

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Menus and Variety

Our menus operate on a 25-meal rota, providing children with a wide variety of nutritious and interesting foods. Menus are designed to reflect cultural diversity and introduce children to different tastes, textures and cuisines. Children experience either a main meal and a pudding or a starter and a main meal.  Weekly menus are displayed for parents and carers to view.

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Lunches include a wide range of vegetables, pulses, fish and vegetarian dishes, alongside other nutritious and balanced meals. Morning and afternoon snacks incorporate fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as options such as sandwiches, dips, homemade pâtés and other freshly prepared foods.

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We encourage children to explore a variety of foods and develop positive eating habits by providing opportunities to experience different flavours, colours, textures and ingredients.

 

Drinks

Organic full-fat milk is offered during morning and afternoon snack times. Fresh drinking water is provided at lunchtime and is freely available to children throughout the day.

We encourage children to drink water regularly and support them in developing healthy hydration habits.

 

Dietary Requirements, Allergies and Cultural Needs

We recognise that every child is an individual and that dietary requirements may vary. We work closely with parents and carers to gather up-to-date information about each child’s dietary needs, preferences, allergies and intolerances.

Individual dietary requirements are respected and appropriate adjustments are made to ensure that children can enjoy nutritious and varied meals safely.

We also recognise the importance of cultural diversity and respect the different eating habits, traditions and dietary practices of our families. Where appropriate, we provide foods that reflect children’s cultural backgrounds, helping them to enjoy familiar foods while also encouraging them to explore and try new ones.

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Developing Healthy Relationships with Food

We believe that early experiences with food play an important role in developing lifelong healthy eating habits. Children are encouraged to take part in food-related experiences and activities, including preparing and making their own healthy snacks.

Through these experiences, children have opportunities to develop independence, make healthy choices, explore new foods and learn about where food comes from. Mealtimes are also viewed as opportunities for social interaction, conversation and enjoyment.

We encourage children to listen to their bodies, recognise when they are hungry or full, and develop a positive and relaxed relationship with food. Children are never pressured to eat foods they do not want to try.

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Oral Health

Good nutrition and oral health are closely connected. We support children in developing an early understanding of how healthy food and drink choices contribute to healthy teeth and gums.

Children explore oral health through the nutritious food and drinks we provide, making healthy snacks, learning about healthy choices and taking part in age-appropriate activities relating to dental and personal health.

We believe that giving children a positive understanding of healthy eating, personal wellbeing and oral health from an early age helps to give them the best possible start in life.

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Our Commitment

We are committed to providing an environment in which healthy eating is enjoyable, inclusive and educational. By offering fresh, nutritious and varied food, respecting individual and cultural needs, and involving children in positive food experiences, we aim to give every child the knowledge, confidence and healthy habits they need to support their wellbeing now and in the future.

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At Sunrise Nursery we aim to make meal times a happy, healthy and sociable occasion for both staff and children.  Positive interactions are shared and enjoyed at these times.  The children love to help, and take it in turns to wear an apron to serve their peers lunch, pudding and snack.         

 

Meal and snack times are organised so that they are social occasions in which children and staff participate in small groups.  Staff set a good example and eat with the children, sharing the same food, sitting at the same table and showing good table manners.  During meal and snack times children are encouraged to have good manners and say 'please' and 'thank you' and conversation is encouraged.        

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Staff use meal and snack times to help promote independence  by encouraging children to make choices, serve food and drink and feed themselves. 

           

Staff are always positive, kind and most of all patient with children at mealtimes. We never force a child to eat something they do not want to eat and children who are slow eaters will be given time and not rushed.