Woodlands Pre-school
Westfield & District Cricket & Bowls Club,
Greenmeads, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QJ.
Tel: 07593 812718/E-mail:
------
Food and Drink Policy
Policy Aims:
Snack and meal times are an important part of the day. Eating represents a social time for children and adults and helps children to learn about healthy eating. We aim to offer nutritious food, which meets the children’s individual dietary needs. We also aim to meet the welfare requirements on food and drink.
*************
Information gathering
Before a child starts at our setting, we ask parents to complete our Registration Form which includes details about their child’s dietary needs, including any cultural and religious requirements and allergies. During the child’s attendance at the setting, if any changes occur (such as allergies developing), the parent/s are asked to inform us in writing so that we may attach this to the Registration Form.
Any allergies or dietary requirements are recorded on a list kept in the staff cupboard so that staff and volunteers are aware of any needs.
Snack-time food
Families are asked to bring in a small portion of fruit or vegetables that can be eaten raw, each day. This fruit or vegetable snack should be brought in a re-sealable container and should be enough for the children to eat in small, easy to manage, segments.
Snack-time is a social occasion as children participate in groups and they become familiar with other children in their group, giving them a sense of belonging. An adult sits with them and encourages conversation on varying subjects, which may include the benefits of eating healthily and trying a variety of fruit or vegetables.
Children are offered a choice of drink at snack-time – sugar-free squash, water, or semi-skimmed milk – the use of sugar in drinks is not encouraged due the detrimental effects on children’s teeth. We receive milk through a funded scheme, so weencourage children to drink milk where possible, unless they have an allergy or intolerance, which a parent would have told us about in advance.
The staff ensure that all children are included and that, if a child has any special needs or requirements, they are able to participate and are not singled out because of their diet or allergy.
We help children to gain independence by giving them a choice of drink, by helping themselves to fruit and by pouring their own drinks, using small jugs.
Lunch Club
When children are booked to stay for Lunch Club after morning sessions, they bring their own food in a lunch box/bag. Should any of the contents need refrigeration, we check with parents on handing over the lunch so that we can store items in the fridge.
We make recommendations/suggestions for suitable contents for a lunch box, ensuring that healthy choices are made. We also ask parents to make sure that no nut products are included as other children may have allergies and we discourage bringing sweets, chocolate or fizzy drinks.
Drinking Water
Children and adults have access to drinking water throughout the day. Whenever the children would like a drink of water, they can ask an adult who will give them one straight away. We regularly encourage families through newsletters to bring in a bottle of water with their child’s name on it, so that their child can help themselves to water at any time they wish.
In very hot weather, jugs of water are taken outside to ensure that the children can keep hydrated.
Special Occasions – Food and Drink
Once a year, usually at Christmas time, we have a party. Parents are asked to contribute a nominal fee and the staff purchases the party food from this - we ensure that we take all dietary requirements into consideration; food allergies, vegetarian, other specific intolerances or allergies. On rare occasions, a child’s allergies or requirements may be extreme and they may not be able to participate in eating the same food as other children. In these instances, they may bring in their own food in a separate container so that they may still be able to participate in the party.
Food Hygiene
All members of staff follow good hygiene procedures in food handling and preparation. All those involved in the handling of food, complete a Food Hygiene training course to raise their awareness of good hygiene practices.
This policy was updated by management of Woodlands Pre-school
Name: B.A. Kashiwazaki
Signature: Position: Owner
Date: September 2016 Review date: September 2017
Food & Drink PolicyPage 1