Nutritional Meals and Snacks
As part of our all-inclusive approach, we provide a full range of meals, snacks and drinks for your child during their day at our nursery; this will include access to fresh drinking water. A typical day will include breakfast (8.00am to 8.30am), snack (10.30am), lunch (11.45am) and afternoon tea (3.15pm) followed by another snack around 5.00pm, for those children staying later. Our focus is on nutritious and wholesome food when we are creating our menus of home-based, cooked meals.
We believe that eating healthily is extremely important in the development of our youngest children. We also recognise that children should be able to enjoy food and recognise too the healthy benefits that also support their physical growth, as well as learn good behaviours for the future.
We acknowledge that sugary foods and drinks, fatty foods or foods containing additives are almost unavoidable in the modern diet. Nevertheless, we have tried our best to plan our menus to minimise these influences and encourage enjoyment of a wide range of foods, including organic and multi-cultural produce. As well as our main menus, a sample of which can be found on this page, we also have separate weaning menus for babies.
We encourage children where appropriate to get involved in the planning and preparation of snacks, which will include foods such as raw vegetables, raisins, cheese, toast, fruit, milk and water. Crisps and other convenience foods are very rarely used, only then on some special occasions such as our special events, festivals and summer parties.
Mums will be able to breast feed at the nursery during the day if they wish to. Babies will be encouraged to try different foods, which will be prepared in the main kitchen. We also welcome suggestions from parents on any aspect of the children’s meals and snacks.
Weaning Menus – Babies 3 to 9 months
Whilst children are still developing their tolerances and capabilities with food, we can provide a range of weaning options, which cater for children from 3 months upwards. We also provide a range of purees, porridges and will give formula milk (provided from home) whilst your baby is migrating to solid foods. If there is a specific brand of milk or food type that your baby prefers then generally we can accommodate most requests.
Specific dietary requirements with nutritious & wholesome food alternatives
We have qualified and experienced chefs who liaise with the Nursery Manager about children’s dietary needs and over the years, they have evolved a range of recipes that cater for most dietary requirements. During the settling in period when you and your child’s key person are completing a care plan, we can discuss specific dietary needs such as:
- Cultural preferences
- Vegetarianism or veganism
- Dietary and nutritional specifics
- Food allergies or intolerances
As part of our initial and on-going care arrangements, we monitor and manage a wide range of dietary needs and are always keen to ensure we are informed of any concerns that are held with regard to eating and drinking. Our staff keep daily records of children attending the nursery and the food and drink they have consumed, so that they are aware of specific requirements and equally any changes in diet.
We operate a strict no-nut policy in the nursery, details of which can be seen on the parent’s notice board or in our policies file in the reception area. Some products may contain traces of nuts but this might not be overtly listed on the ingredients, or may be part of an ingredient not necessarily broken down further. If in any doubt whatoever, please let us have a definitive list of any products, which you are aware of, that might prove troublesome to or for your child.
Weekly Menus
Week One
Monday
Halal: Tender lightly coated chicken breast goujons, served with homemade potato chips and hearty beans.
Non-Halal: Tender lightly coated chicken breast goujons, served with homemade potato chips and hearty beans.
Side Vegetables: Tender green beans and naturally sweet garden sweetcorn.
Vegetarian: Oven-baked jacket potato, served with a choice of wholesome fillings including tuna, creamy coleslaw, and mature cheese.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Naturally flavoured strawberry ice cream with less sugar, topped with wholesome, juicy fresh strawberries.
Tuesday:
Halal: Classic Spaghetti with a homemade Bolognese sauce.
Non-Halal: Classic Spaghetti with a homemade Bolognese sauce.
Side Vegetables: Freshly cooked carrots and sweet peas.
Vegetarian: Homemade Ratatouille Spaghetti.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Freshly baked homemade banana bread.
Wednesday:
Halal: Freshly marinated chicken tikka and homemade masala sauce with steamed rice.
Non-Halal: Freshly marinated chicken tikka and homemade masala sauce with steamed rice.
Side Vegetables: Freshly steamed broccoli and cauliflower florets.
Vegetarian: Macaroni pasta baked in a rich, creamy cheese sauce made from scratch.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Homemade oat cookies baked with whole oats and naturally sweet raisins.
Thursday:
Halal: Slow roasted turkey with onion gravy, oven roast potatoes and sage and onion stuffing.
Non-Halal: Slow roasted turkey with onion gravy, oven roast potatoes and sage and onion stuffing.
Side Vegetables: Sweet baby corn alongside freshly made pointed cabbage.
Vegetarian: Homemade cauliflower and broccoli cheese bake or vegetarian goujons.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Sugar free strawberry jelly.
Friday:
Halal: Lightly coated fish fingers, paired with seasoned potato wedges and fibrerich baked beans.
Non-Halal: Lightly coated fish fingers, paired with seasoned potato wedges and fibrerich baked beans.
Side Vegetables: Freshly cooked baby carrots and steamed peas.
Vegetarian: Freshly made, tomato bake in a creamy sauce or oven baked veggie fingers.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Freshly prepared fruit salad with naturally sweet, seasonal fruits.
Week Two
Monday:
Halal: Savory homemade meatballs in a naturally flavourful tomato sauce with spaghetti.
Non-Halal: Savory homemade meatballs in a naturally flavourful tomato sauce with spaghetti.
Side Vegetables: Fresh cauliflower and broccoli florets.
Vegetarian: Homemade veggie meatballs served over wholesome spaghetti.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Creamy, no added sugar strawberry mousse, served with fresh strawberries.
Tuesday:
Halal: Freshly prepared lamb koftas, served with fluffy rice and a yoghurt and cucumber dip.
Non-Halal: Freshly prepared lamb koftas, served with fluffy rice and a yoghurt and cucumber dip.
Side Vegetables: Fresh green peas and crisp green beans.
Vegetarian: Freshly made, homemade creamy pasta bake.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Wholesome homemade carrot cake.
Wednesday:
Halal: Baked jacket potatoes served with a variety of wholesome fillings, including lean sliced chicken, fresh salad, crunchy coleslaw, tuna, and hearty baked beans.
Non-Halal: Baked jacket potatoes served with a variety of wholesome fillings, including lean sliced chicken, fresh salad, crunchy coleslaw, tuna, and hearty baked beans.
Side Vegetables: Freshly steamed sweetcorn.
Vegetarian: Oven baked sweet potatoes with a selection of healthy fillings: creamy coleslaw, tuna, and low fat cheese.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Creamy, low fat cheesecake.
Thursday:
Halal: Slow roasted chicken with onion gravy, oven roast potatoes and sage and onion stuffing.
Non-Halal: Slow roasted chicken with onion gravy, oven roast potatoes and sage and onion stuffing.
Side Vegetables: Roasted garden carrots and fresh green cabbage.
Vegetarian: Oven baked plant based goujons, served with roast potatoes and onion gravy.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Homemade, freshly baked apple pie.
Friday:
Halal: Oven baked fish pie served with fresh baby potatoes and steamed broccoli.
Non-Halal: Oven baked salmon fillet served with fresh baby potatoes and steamed broccoli.
Side Vegetables: Soft courgettes and peas medley.
Vegetarian: Oven baked vegetable and tomato medley, layered with fresh, nutrient rich vegetables.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) No added sugar, strawberry angel delight.
Week Three
Monday:
Halal: Grilled chicken sausages served alongside creamy mashed potatoes and rich, homemade onion gravy.
Non-Halal: Grilled chicken sausages served alongside creamy mashed potatoes and rich, homemade onion gravy.
Side Vegetables: Steamed carrots and green cabbage.
Vegetarian: Plant based sausages served with mashed potatoes and a wholesome onion gravy.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Naturally sweetened orange jelly, free from added sugar.
Tuesday:
Halal: Homemade beef lasagne, wholesome ingredients, and served with a fresh salad.
Non-halal: Homemade beef lasagne, wholesome ingredients, and served with a fresh salad.
Side Vegetables: Fresh cauliflower and broccoli florets.
Vegetarian: Oven baked vegetable lasagne, nutrient rich vegetables, served with salad.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Orange and mango fruit ice smoothie.
Wednesday:
Halal: Grilled chicken breast with a light BBQ marinade, served with fluffy rice.
Non-Halal: Grilled chicken breast with a light BBQ marinade, served with fluffy rice.
Side Vegetables: Tender green beans and sweetcorn medley
Vegetarian: Fluffy baked jacket potato served with a variety of wholesome fillings such as chicken, tuna, fresh salad, coleslaw, and baked beans.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Freshly prepared apple crumble with rich, smooth custard, made with wholesome ingredients and natural sweetness.
Thursday:
Halal: Oven grilled Cajun chicken in a wholemeal pitta, paired with lightly roasted potato slices and a tomato salsa.
Non-Halal: Oven grilled Cajun chicken in a wholemeal pitta, paired with lightly roasted potato slices and a tomato salsa.
Side Vegetables: Steamed baby carrots and peas.
Vegetarian: Oven grilled Quorn chicken in a soft pitta, served with oven baked potato slices and fresh tomato salsa.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Light apricot yoghurt, naturally low in fat.
Friday:
Halal: Crispy oven baked salmon fish fingers served with oven baked potato wedges.
Non-Halal: Crispy oven baked salmon fish fingers served with oven baked potato wedges.
Side Vegetables: Steamed broccoli and peas.
Vegetarian: Macaroni pasta baked in a rich, creamy cheese sauce made from scratch.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Naturally sweet baked apples with cinnamon, served with homemade custard.
Week Four
Monday:
Halal: Classic Spaghetti with a homemade Bolognese sauce.
Non-Halal: Classic Spaghetti with a homemade Bolognese sauce.
Side Vegetables: Steamed broccoli florets and sweet garden peas.
Vegetarian: Whole grain Mediterranean pasta bake.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Naturally sweetened Raspberry jelly, free from added sugar.
Tuesday:
Halal: Oven grilled chicken sausages with creamy mashed potatoes and a side of baked beans.
Non-Halal: Oven grilled chicken sausages with creamy mashed potatoes and a side of baked beans.
Side Vegetables: Fresh carrots and white cabbage.
Vegetarian: Plant based sausages with mashed potatoes and savoury onion gravy.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Light strawberry yoghurt, naturally low in fat.
Wednesday:
Halal: Homemade diced lamb and vegetable stir fry with whole grain noodles.
Non-Halal: Homemade diced lamb and vegetable stir fry with whole grain noodles.
Side Vegetables: Naturally sweet corn and leeks.
Vegetarian: Medley of vegetables stir fried with wholegrain noodles.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) No added sugar vanilla ice cream with real fruit.
Thursday:
Halal: Oven roasted chicken with onion gravy, freshly baked potatoes and stuffing balls.
Non-Halal: Oven roasted chicken with onion gravy, freshly baked potatoes and stuffing balls.
Side Vegetables: Steamed peas and white cabbage.
Vegetarian: Savory whole grain pastry filled with caramelized onions and cheese.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) Freshly baked homemade banana bread.
Friday:
Halal: Savory fish cakes served with roasted potato wedges and baked beans.
Non-Halal: Savory fish cakes served with roasted potato wedges and baked beans.
Side Vegetables: Steamed carrots and green beans.
Vegetarian: Macaroni pasta baked in a rich, creamy cheese sauce made from scratch.
Dessert: (Fresh fruit and fat free yoghurt is served as an alternative to all desserts) No added sugar, chocolate angel delight.