Balliol Day Nursery is a Pescatarian Nursery. No meat products will be given to the children, however fish dishes are included in the Nursery menu. Staff and students wishing to eat products containing meat brought from home (e.g. sandwiches for their lunch) are permitted to eat them in the staffroom during their break period. The Nursery will endeavour to provide healthy, nutritious balanced meals and snacks for the children, in accordance with Government guidelines. Food is freshly prepared on the premises. All staff who handle food have been trained in Safer Food Handling.
Any specific dietary requirements such as food allergies must be discussed with the Nursery Manager and the Nursery will make every effort to ensure that the child does not receive any food to which they are intolerant. The manager will ensure that all staff and students are aware of any allergies or food intolerances. Food intolerances and Allergies will be clearly displayed on a sign in the kitchen. The children will have individual named place mats. Children who are required to avoid certain foods will have a red place mat, making them clearly identifiable. The place mat will state clearly the level of intolerance and action to be taken if food is given or consumed by mistake. For children in high chairs, allergy information will be written on both the front and back of the high chair. In cases of severe allergy it may be necessary to exclude a particular food from the nursery menu altogether. Each case will be decided upon its own merits and will be the decision of the Nursery Manager. No nuts or foods containing nuts will be given to the children. We are a ‘no nut’ Nursery, therefore nuts or products containing nuts must not be brought into the premises.
Mealtimes will be a calm relaxed social time, the children and adults will sit together around a table. Children will be actively encouraged to try a range of varied healthy meals and snacks, but no child will ever be forced to eat anything that they do not wish to. Children will be taught about the different nutritional values of food. They will be taught the importance of eating the majority of their foods from healthy food groups and to save less healthy options for occasional treats.
Babies will be introduced to new foods gradually and will be closely monitored for likes and dislikes and their reactions to different foods. Staff will work closely with parents and discuss with them foods given at Nursery and at home. A food and drink diary will be kept for each baby during the weaning process and its contents shared with parents at the end of the day. Baby food will be homemade by the nursery, using fresh ingredients wherever possible.
The Nursery has a 4 week rolling menu plan. This insures that the children are given a varied and balanced diet when at Nursery. Weekly menus will be displayed on the parent noticeboard.
Drinks
Children will be offered drinks at regular intervals throughout the day. They will be given a choice of water or milk at morning snack and tea time, and water with their lunch.
We have a ‘Water Station’, where children can go whenever they are thirsty and drink water from their own named bottle. Children are reminded about using the water station throughout the day, especially in warm weather. For younger less mobile children, their water bottles are brought to them, ensuring they can have a drink of water throughout the day. The children’s water bottles are taken into the garden, especially during warm weather. Children are also encouraged to use their water bottles during and after periods of physical activity, such as music and movement sessions. No squash or fizzy drinks will be given to the children or drinks containing artificial sweeteners or food colouring.
The nursery takes part in the Government’s milk scheme. We encourage the children to receive adequate amounts of milk. In accordance with Government guidelines, Semi-skimmed milk is provided for children over two years of age and full fat milk for the younger children. If parents wish babies and children under two to drink formula milk, they are able to provide this for their child, either in powder form or readymade cartons.
Food safety
All food and drink will be sourced from a reputable supplier. The nursery does the majority of its food shopping through Tesco’s home delivery.
The nursery is checked at regular intervals for food hygiene standards by Environmental Health. All staff follow safe food handling and safe food management procedures. All staff receive training in basic food hygiene.
19 November 2024