Nutrition and Mealtimes - Rochester Pre

Food, Nutrition and Mealtimes Policy- Statement of Intent At Rochester Preschool, we believe that meal times should be a happy, social occasion for staff and children alike. Eating represents a social time for the children and adults and Positive interactions should be shared at these times and enjoyed.

Aim: Rochester Preschool is committed to providing children a healthy, nutritious and balanced snack which meets their individual needs and requirements. Staff complete Level 2 in Food safety and hygiene.

All children are entitled to a healthy balanced diet that supports growth, development and learning. Mealtimes are relaxed and a social experience. Food is never used as a reward or punishment. Staff will act as positive role models with the children. There will be a member of staff supervising each table at lunchtime and snack.

Meals and Snacks-

Drinks are limited to plain water or milk. Fresh drinking water will be constantly available and frequently offered to children. Children will all have an individual bottle of drinking water that they can access independently at all times. It is required that they bring this bottle from home with their name on and staff will monitor and refill with water as necessary. At snacktime children are encouraged to drink from an open cup.
Individual dietary requirements will be respected. We will gather information from parents regarding their children’s dietary needs including any allergies or allergen on their entry profiles. Any allergies children have are known to all staff and their food is prepared separately to avoid contamination. Staff will show sensitivity in providing for children’s diets and allergies. They will not use a child’s diet or allergy as a label for the child, or make a child feel singled out because of this. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify staff of any changes in their child’s dietary needs.
We use meal and snack times to help children to develop independence through making choices, serving food and drinks and feeding themselves. All children are encouraged to collect their drinking bottles before sitting down for each meal/snack.
Snacks contain a carbohydrate such as low sugar cereal-rice crispies, porridge or cornflakes, wholemeal toast or crackers and two varieties of fruit per day. Menus will be available to parents on a two week rota.
During meal and snack times children will be encouraged to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.
Children who are slow eaters will be given time and not rushed to eat their meals.

Lunchtime

A balanced lunchbox must be provided by parents if your child is attending an afternoon session or all day. Advice will be given to all parents/ carers based on the ‘Eat Better, Smart Better’ guidance and the ‘Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance’ (May 2025).

Parents are encouraged to include the following:

Fruit/ vegetables
Starchy foods-bread, rice, pasta or potatoes
Protein- Meat, Fish, eggs, beans or pulses
Dairy or alternative- Yoghurt, cheese, fortified alternatives

Foods we ask families to avoid:

Fizzy or sweetened drinks
Choking hazards (whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, sausages must be quartered)
Popcorn
Nuts and nut products
Sweets
Fast Food- Chips, Chicken nuggets

If a child’s lunchbox regularly contains unsuitable items, staff will speak privately to the parents.

We advise that you pack your child’s lunch in an insulated lunchbag with an icepack as we do not have sufficient fridge storage space.

Birthdays and Celebrations

We celebrate birthdays in fun, inclusive ways including singing, dancing and games.
We ask that parents do not bring in large whole cakes. Families are welcome to contribute non-food items such as stickers, bubbles instead of cakes for their child’s birthday for their friends or a small cake bar (individually wrapped) the child can hand out at hometime.
Cultural and religious food traditions will be respected.

The Eating Environment

Children and staff wash their hands before eating meals and snacks. Staff will model this with children.
Areas used for eating will be clean and free from distractions, eg. Toys.
Appropriate sized tables, chairs, plates, bowls, cups and cutlery will help children to eat independently.
We will encourage children to drink from an open cup (snacktime) or preferably a free-flow cup (without a valve), so that they learn to sip rather than suck drinks, which is better for their teeth.
Encourage children to choose the food they are going to eat for themselves, and to try new foods at snacktime.

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